goatsucker

American  

[goht-suhk-er] / ˈgoʊtˌsʌk ər /

noun

1. nightjar.

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goatsucker British  

/ ˈɡəʊtˌsʌkə /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): nightjar.  any nocturnal bird of the family Caprimulgidae, esp Caprimulgus europaeus ( European nightjar ): order Caprimulgiformes.

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Etymology

Origin of goatsucker

1605–15; so called because formerly believed to suck the milk of goats; translation of Latin caprimulgus, itself translation of Greek aigothḗlas

Example Sentences

The birds have a number of nicknames, with the most unusual being 'the goatsucker'.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Numerous species of the goatsucker, well known as the bird of night, inhabit the forests of the Amazon as well as the settled districts.

From The Western World Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North and South America by Kingston, William Henry Giles

If the largest goatsucker chance to cry near the white man’s door, sorrow and grief will soon be inside; and they expect to see the master waste away with a slow consuming sickness. 

From Wanderings in South America by Waterton, Charles

When night reigns over these immeasurable wilds, whilst lying in your hammock, you will hear this goatsucker lamenting like one in deep distress. 

From Wanderings in South America by Waterton, Charles

When night reigns over these wilds you will hear this goatsucker lamenting like one in deep distress.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 19 — Travel and Adventure by Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir