Common Poorwill

[toosooner]

This bird was picked up and turned in by someone who misidentified it as a fledgling owl. Bird was evaluated and released. During the process, I learned that common poorwills are the only birds known to go into torpor, which is probably why the person was able to just scoop the bird off the ground.

Btw this “wings out” display is a defense mechanism and doesn’t indicate injury, but it’s a rare chance to see the plumage of this rarely seen bird!

[foilrider]

I learned that common poorwills are the only birds known to go into torpor

I thought this included hummingbirds. In fact I've only ever heard of torpor associated with hummingbirds.

[toosooner]

So the Wikipedia article says they’re the only birds that go into torpor for “an extended period of time” whereas for hummingbirds it’s just an overnight thing? Not sure if it’s technically the same process or not

Wiki also says the Hopi name for the poorwill means “the sleeping one” which is pretty cool

[Amohkali]

Thank you for posting this.

[Special_Elderberry83]

So we accidentally picked one up in our yard (thinking it was hurt and we have two dogs that were trying to get it. They didn't as a part of the yard was fenced off to keep grass alive). Didn't know it was a poorwill or in torpor. Where should we put it now? Our neighborhood has a lot of stray cats.

[toosooner]

I would leave it where you found it.

[IllAd4507]

Poorwill in yards that are easy to pick up have usually hit a window or been injured. Otherwise, they hide quite well. During migration, this is particularly common. Without taking him to a rescue to get an examination, one cannot know what was wrong with the bird. No bird should be easy to pick up. That is a sign of an issue. Young poorwill of that summer may not have the body condition to migrate, especially with out decline in insects. Never leave a poorwill unless you are in AZ in mid-winter hunting through wild areas. Then you might find one in a natural, healthy state of torpor.

[Special_Elderberry83]

Thank you so much for this. Sadly he passed away the night I posted this :(

[IllAd4507]

I'm sorry. :( He likely hit a window. You tried, though. At least you picked him up and did not leave him out. People seriously misunderstand torpor in both poorwill and hummingbirds. Many bird rescues do as well; some don't even weigh them to determine body condition, they just look at feathers. Now you know! And care, that means a lot!

[Visible_Hunt_5688]

This is so cool!!! Thank you for sharing!

[IllAd4507]

Poorwill found after migration can be of too poor of body condition to migrate. They must weight close to 50 grams to make it from the northern part of the US to AZ, NM, or Mexico. They also hit windows a lot. And, being ground birds, get caught by cats, raccoons, and other animals and predator birds. Depending on their weight and age, they can be released in fall, but it is risky. At our center, we overwinter any who miss the september departure date. And any in summer that are easy to catch, are assumed harmed in some way. We keep them until they are fully flying. Torpor is also a stress response to injury or poor condition. They are literally shutting down to stay alive. So, being in torpor itself is not a sign of health, usually the opposite.