nightjar

American  

[nahyt-jahr] / ˈnaɪtˌdʒɑr /

noun

1. a nocturnal European bird, Caprimulgus europaeus, of the family Caprimulgidae, having a short bill and a wide mouth and feeding on insects captured in the air.

2. Also called goatsucker.  any other nocturnal or crepuscular bird of the family Caprimulgidae.

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nightjar British  

/ ˈnaɪtˌdʒɑː /

noun

1. any nocturnal bird of the family Caprimulgidae, esp Caprimulgus europaeus ( European nightjar ): order Caprimulgiformes. They have a cryptic plumage and large eyes and feed on insects

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Etymology

Origin of nightjar

1620–30; night + jar ² (from its harsh cry)

Example Sentences

The survey also found 109 nightjar territories, the highest recorded, in the lowland heaths of east Hampshire, including Woolmer Forest and the commons of Shortheath, Bramshott, Ludshott, Broxhead and Kingsley.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

The nightjar is listed as an amber species under the Red List for Birds, meaning it is a species of "conservation concern".

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

In that episode in Puerto Rico, a developer had cleared scarce habitat of the endangered nightjar in 2014 before completing any environmental review.

From Salon • May 3, 2023

Some of the costliest and most invasive construction is unfolding this month in Guadalupe Canyon, an oasis-like habitat for rare species of birds like the buff-collared nightjar and tropical kingbird.

From New York Times • Nov. 28, 2020

Whow-whow called a nightjar in a breathless voice.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer