BirdAnalyst
Species · North Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Whip-poor-will Population Trend in North Carolina

All statesAerial insectivores

Eastern Whip-poor-will in North Carolina has fallen sharply: down 56% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-56%Since 1968
69Routes In State
58Years

Notable Eastern Whip-poor-will Trends in North Carolina

long arc declinecomputed index

Eastern Whip-poor-will has fallen sharply in North Carolina: down 56% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Whip-poor-will Population Forecast in North Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Whip-poor-will in North Carolina is projected to fall about 36% by 2029 — from 0.14 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.00–0.58). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-36%Change by 2029
0.09Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.5895% range
±17.1%Backtest error
19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.140.000.63
20260.130.000.61
20270.120.000.60
20280.100.000.59
20290.090.000.58

Eastern Whip-poor-will Survey Routes in North Carolina

Routes recording Eastern Whip-poor-will in North Carolina.
Table Rock720221996
Washington320242001
Uwharrie Nf320001995
Broad Creek220131993
Spring Hope220242002
Cayton220222018
Biscoe220091990
Todd220001999
Bullock220221997
Reelsboro220182001
Jamesville220241983
Merrimon120162015
Wards Corner120051995
Hallsboro119921992
Raeford120241991
Sheep Ridge120181994
Arapahoe119941993
Beargrass119771977
Speed119901986
Kinston120011968
Jordan120161966
Saxapahaw119871969
Climax120051966
Mooresville119881968
Oakboro120111978

Eastern Whip-poor-will Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawaregeorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.