Goatsucker \Goat"suck`er\, n. (Zool.)
One of several species of insectivorous birds, belonging to
{Caprimulgus} and allied genera, esp. the European species
({Caprimulgus Europ[ae]us}); -- 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}.
[1913 Webster]
nighthawk \nighthawk\ n.
1. A person who likes to be active late at night; a {night
owl}.
Syn: night owl, nightbird.
[WordNet 1.5]
2. (Zool.) Any of several mainly nocturnal North American
goatsuckers, especially {Chordeiles minor}, or the related
European goatsucker {Caprimulgus europaeus}, also called
the nightjar.
Syn: bullbat, mosquito hawk.
[WordNet 1.5]