Definitions for "Caprimulgus"
the type genus of the Caprimulgidae, including the whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus) and the chuck-will's-widow (Caprimulgus carolinensis).
Caprimulgus is a large and very widespread genus of nightjars, medium-sized nocturnal birds with long pointed wings, short legs and short bills. The name is derived from the Latin for goatsucker, based on the ancient, but mistaken, belief that the European Nightjar would suck milk from goats.