goatsucker

1 9.9

A bird active at night with large eyes and brown and grey feathers that eats insects

noun
/ˈɡoʊtˌsʌkər/

Archaic

: chotacabras

Many birdwatchers are delighted to spot a goatsucker during their nocturnal outings in the countryside.

Examples

The goatsucker is known for its camouflage, blending into the night with its mottled feathers.
Caprimulgus europaeus, or goatsucker.

The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend (1949)
As dusk approached, the goatsucker began to call, announcing its presence in the quiet woods.

Synonyms

nightjar

vsgoatsucker

1 9.5

A bird active at night with grey-brown feathers and large eyes that eats insects

also emphasizes crepuscular activity and mentions family classification

caprimulgid

vsgoatsucker

Specialized

9.9

A bird active at night with spotted feathers and large eyes that eats insects

is the more general or traditional name rather than the technical family label

mosquito hawk

vsgoatsucker

9.3

A North American bird active at night that eats flying insects

covers the same bird type beyond North America

Compounds

European goatsucker

9.9

A night bird of Europe and western Asia with speckled feathers and a low continuous call

Surface Forms

goatsucker singular

goatsuckers plural

Morphology

goatsucker = goat + sucker (opaque) = goat + sucker

Although transparently formed from 'goat' + 'sucker', the name reflects a folk belief (that the bird sucked goats' milk) and does not yield the zoological meaning 'insectivorous nightjar'.

Etymology

Goatsucker comes from an old Latin name that meant 'goat milker' and from the English parts goat and sucker. People once thought the bird sucked milk from goats at night, but a goatsucker is actually a night bird that eats insects, so the name comes from that folk story.