a dark, insect-eating, nocturnal nightjar (Caprimulgus vociferus) of E North America
See whippoorwill in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(hwĭpˌər-wĭlˈ, wĭpˌ-, hwĭpˈər-wĭlˌ, wĭpˈ-)
noun
An insect-eating nocturnal North American bird (Caprimulgus vociferus) of the goatsucker family, having spotted brown feathers that blend with its woodland habitat.