goatsucker from the US (1 Viewer)

[Axel Braunlich]

Hi, this is a nightjar from Sept, from Denver (?). It was posted on a friend's website, saying it is a "Night Hawk". I'm pretty sure it isn't a Common Nighthawk, but since I have no experience with American Caprimulgiformes I'm a bit lost here. Looks like a Common Poorwill to me, with a much-too-long tail... Any ideas? Cheers, Axel

 

[opisska]

I will not dare to ID American Nightjars for others, but I have to say that I have never heard about them being called goatsuckers - and now, thanks to you, I have, I have read the story about it and my life is a little bit richer

 

[Axel Braunlich]

I will not dare to ID American Nightjars for others, but I have to say that I have never heard about them being called goatsuckers - and now, thanks to you, I have, I have read the story about it and my life is a little bit richer

In German they (the whole family) are called "Ziegenmelker" (literally "goat milkers"). Sibley uses "goatsuckers" in his field guide, with two groups contained therein: nighjars and nighthawks

 

[YuShan]

Common Poorwill?

 

[Axel Braunlich]

Common Poorwill?

What I thought... but isn't the tail too long?

 

[aeshna5]

European Nightjars are also known as Goatsuckers, not that anyone uses that name these days.

 

[birdmeister]

I agree that the tail looks a bit long, but I'm pretty sure there's nothing else it could be other than Common Poorwill.

Here are links to two eBird photos (Macaulay Library) showing tails almost as long as the OP bird.

ML267216271 - Common Poorwill - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML267216271; © Patrick O'Driscoll; Denver, Colorado, United States

macaulaylibrary.org

ML277921631 - Common Poorwill - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML277921631; © Don Witter; Pinal, Arizona, United States

macaulaylibrary.org

 

[Nutcracker]

European Nightjars are also known as Goatsuckers, not that anyone uses that name these days.

Except for newspaper journalists who discover it from wikipedia and think it fun to dredge up old archaisms that no-one uses!

 

[Andy Adcock]

European Nightjars are also known as Goatsuckers, not that anyone uses that name these days.

Oh no, they haven't changed that as well have they 😱

 

[Axel Braunlich]

I agree that the tail looks a bit long, but I'm pretty sure there's nothing else it could be other than Common Poorwill.

Here are links to two eBird photos (Macaulay Library) showing tails almost as long as the OP bird.

ML267216271 - Common Poorwill - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML267216271; © Patrick O'Driscoll; Denver, Colorado, United States

macaulaylibrary.org

ML277921631 - Common Poorwill - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML277921631; © Don Witter; Pinal, Arizona, United States

macaulaylibrary.org

Thanks for commenting and for the example pics.

 

[RafaelMatias]

In German they (the whole family) are called "Ziegenmelker" (literally "goat milkers"). Sibley uses "goatsuckers" in his field guide, with two groups contained therein: nighjars and nighthawks

Caprimulgus means "goat milker"
I read something many years ago that suggested the name originated from them occurring next to where cattle was kept due to the abundance of insects in those places.

 

[MJB]

Except for newspaper journalists who discover it from wikipedia and think it fun to dredge up old archaisms that no-one uses!

Is there such a thing as a new archaism...?⏳🏺💾
MJB

 

[Nutcracker]

But why goats? Not the most widely kept livestock. Why isn't it cowsucker or sheepsucker? Or even pigsucker?

 

[Dawsy]

European Nightjars are also known as Goatsuckers, not that anyone uses that name these days.

It seems the switch occured around 1890.

Google Books Ngram Viewer

Google Books Ngram Viewer

books.google.com

No idea why nightjars suddenly got so popular in 2019!?

Michael