Definition

A type of bird that is mostly active at night and eats insects, belonging to the family Caprimulgidae, which includes species like the nighthawk and whippoorwill.

Example

The goatsucker flew silently through the night, searching for insects to eat.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a goatsucker in the wild?

No, I haven't! What do they look like?

They're pretty unique, with their camouflaged feathers and nocturnal habits.

Sounds fascinating! I'd love to spot one someday.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Goatsucker → The word is formed from "goat" (from Old English *gāt*, meaning the animal) and "sucker" (from Middle English *suker*, meaning one that sucks). The term refers to a bird that was believed to suckle from goats, hence the name.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bird that was thought to 'suckle' ('sucker') from 'goats' — that's how the name 'goatsucker' came about.

Visually Confused Words