In one of the most chilling scenes from Stephen King’s novel “Salem’s Lot,” a gravedigger named Mike Ryerson hurriedly buries a boy named Danny Glick. As night falls, Mike realizes that Danny has been buried with his eyes open, and he feels as though Danny is watching him. Overcome by a sense of mania, Mike frantically digs up the coffin, revealing a horrifying truth.
The eerie presence of whip-poor-wills adds to the suspense in King’s novel, but these birds are often overlooked in film and television adaptations. Released in 2024, the latest adaptation of “Salem’s Lot” minimizes the role of whip-poor-wills, opting for other bird calls instead. This omission reflects a broader cultural and ecological shift, highlighting the loss of species and the impact on storytelling.
Whip-poor-wills have a long history in American literature, with authors like H.P. Lovecraft using them to create an ominous atmosphere in stories like “The Dunwich Horror.” These nocturnal birds symbolize death and guide souls to the afterlife, adding a supernatural element to the narrative. Despite their significance in horror fiction, whip-poor-wills are facing a decline in population, mirroring their cultural disappearance.
As the familiarity with whip-poor-wills diminishes, so does the cultural connection to these birds. Their decline in numbers not only affects the environment but also leads to a loss of traditional beliefs and folklore surrounding the species. The extinction of experience, as naturalist Robert Michael Pyle describes it, deprives people of meaningful interactions with nature and erodes cultural connections to the natural world.
While the decline of whip-poor-wills is concerning, there is hope for their conservation. Forest management practices that support diverse habitats can benefit these birds, offering a chance for their populations to recover. Additionally, the enduring presence of whip-poor-wills in literature and popular culture provides a pathway for people to reconnect with these birds and appreciate their significance in storytelling.
In a world where species loss is a reality, preserving the cultural and ecological heritage associated with animals like whip-poor-wills becomes crucial. By recognizing the value of these birds beyond their symbolic role in horror fiction, we can work towards a future where both wildlife and cultural traditions thrive.