nightjar

noun

• a nocturnal insectivorous bird with grey-brown camouflaged plumage, large eyes and gape, and a distinctive call.

  • Family Caprimulgidae (the nightjar family): several genera, especially Caprimulgus, and many species, including the European nightjar (C. europaeus), which has a chirring call. The nightjar family also includes the nighthawks, pauraques, poorwills, whippoorwills, and chuck-will’s-widow