Nightjars

Caprimulgidae

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A Field Guide to Eastern Birds. by Roger Tory Peterson.

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The nightjars, also sometimes called goatsuckers, (family Caprimulgidae) are insect eaters with short bills and very wide mouths. These birds typically fly mostly at dusk or during the night catching insects in their gaping mouths. The species spend the daytime on the ground and are well camouflaged and difficult to see against the dead leaves of the forest floor. The nightjars have elongate wings and spend most of their active life flying. There are 83 species worldwide. Eight species breed in North America, and 4 species are found in the east.

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

No Picture Available

Antillean Nighthawk

Chordeiles gundlachii

Chuck-will's-widow

Caprimulgus carolinensis

Whip-poor-will

Caprimulgus vociferus