goatsuckers

goatsuckers
Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae n. [L. capris goat + mulgere to milk.] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the {whip-poor-will} ({Caprimulgus vociferus}), the {chuck-will's-widow} ({Caprimulgus carolinensis}), and the {common nighthawk} ({Chordeiles minor}); -- called popularly the {goatsuckers} or {nightjars}. The nighthawks are sometimes active during the day.

Syn: goatsuckers, nightjars, family {Caprimulgidae}. [PJC]

The family . . . is alternately known as the nightjars (derived from the "churring" sounds of several species -- "jarring" the night air), or goatsuckers, a nonsense name that should be discontinued as it has its origin in the preposterous myth that the birds sucked the milk of nanny goats until they were dry. --Terence Michael Short (Wild Birds of the Americas)


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • goatsuckers — lėliniai paukščiai statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Caprimulgiformes angl. goatsuckers vok. Schwalmvögel rus. козодоеобразные pranc. caprimulgiformes ryšiai: platesnis terminas – šiuolaikiniai paukščiai siauresnis terminas …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • goatsuckers — n. nightjar, species of insectivorous nocturnal bird from the genus Caprimulgus …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Caprimulgidae — n. [L. capris goat + mulgere to milk.] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the {whip poor will} ({Caprimulgus vociferus}), the {chuck will s widow} ({Caprimulgus carolinensis}), and the {common nighthawk}… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Caprimulgus carolinensis — Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae n. [L. capris goat + mulgere to milk.] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the {whip poor will} ({Caprimulgus vociferus}), the {chuck will s widow} ({Caprimulgus carolinensis}),… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Caprimulgus vociferus — Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae n. [L. capris goat + mulgere to milk.] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the {whip poor will} ({Caprimulgus vociferus}), the {chuck will s widow} ({Caprimulgus carolinensis}),… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Chordeiles minor — Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae n. [L. capris goat + mulgere to milk.] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the {whip poor will} ({Caprimulgus vociferus}), the {chuck will s widow} ({Caprimulgus carolinensis}),… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • chuck-will's-widow — Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae n. [L. capris goat + mulgere to milk.] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the {whip poor will} ({Caprimulgus vociferus}), the {chuck will s widow} ({Caprimulgus carolinensis}),… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • common nighthawk — Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae n. [L. capris goat + mulgere to milk.] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the {whip poor will} ({Caprimulgus vociferus}), the {chuck will s widow} ({Caprimulgus carolinensis}),… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nightjars — Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae n. [L. capris goat + mulgere to milk.] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the {whip poor will} ({Caprimulgus vociferus}), the {chuck will s widow} ({Caprimulgus carolinensis}),… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • whip-poor-will — Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae n. [L. capris goat + mulgere to milk.] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the {whip poor will} ({Caprimulgus vociferus}), the {chuck will s widow} ({Caprimulgus carolinensis}),… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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