Goatsucker

n.

1.

(Zool.) One of several species of insectivorous birds, belonging to Caprimulgus and allied genera, esp. the European species (Caprimulgus Europæus); - so called from the mistaken notion that it sucks goats. The European species is also goat-milker, goat owl, goat chaffer, fern owl, night hawk, nightjar, night churr, churr-owl, gnat hawk, and dorhawk.

Noun

1.

goatsucker - mainly crepuscular or nocturnal nonpasserine birds with mottled grayish-brown plumage and large eyes; feed on insects Synonyms: caprimulgid, nightjar

bullbat, caprimulgid, Caprimulgidae, caprimulgiform bird, Caprimulgus carolinensis, Caprimulgus europaeus, Caprimulgus vociferus, chuck-will's-widow, European goatsucker, European nightjar, family Caprimulgidae, mosquito hawk, nighthawk, nightjar, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii, poorwill, whippoorwill