As spring unfolds, nightjars return to the northern United States. Whip-poor-wills are perhaps the best known and best loved species in this enigmatic family. They return with their famous song -- whip-poorwill, whip-poorwill, whip-poorwill. In a single exhalation of a small brown bird that few of us will ever see, the early spring night seems to turnover into summer.

Not surprisingly, the song of Whip-poor-wills is among the most iconic of the eastern U.S. It carries with it centuries of lore and superstition.

The call of the year's first Whip-poor-will was especially important. Part of long-standing phenology, it ended the threat of frost.

But the song of Whip-poor-wills has long meant more than that. From life to death to love, the song of the species once told us so much about ourselves.

For more, checked out my essay, "What does it mean when you a Whip-poor-will?"