Murmurations takes two breaks each year to rest and work on behind-the-scenes journal projects. During these periods, submission forms will be open but the editors will not be checking them or responding to emails until we return.
Winter can be a rough time for birds. Many migrate seasonally to warmer climates, and others can go into a state of torpor to save energy until conditions improve and their food source is more abundant. One of the first commonly known hibernating birds in North America is the common poorwill, a member of the nightjar family, who lives in western North America and subsists on insects, which are less available and active in winter. During cold weather, they can lower their body temperature, heartbeat, and breathing rate for days or even weeks at a time. They are nocturnal ground hunters and have a dead-leaf like pattern to their feathers. Common poorwill beaks look tiny but their mouths are actually huge. They have a flat, whistled call that sounds a bit like “poor-willip.” In honor of the common poorwill, Murmurations is going to take a nice long nap this winter.
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