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.

Caprimulgus nightjars are found around the world, and like other nightjars they usually nest on the ground. They are mostly active in the late evening and early morning or at night, and feed predominantly on moths and other large flying insects.

Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. Some species, unusually for birds, perch along a branch, rather than across it, which helps to conceal them during the day. Temperate species are strongly migratory, wintering in the tropics.

Caprimulgus species have relatively long bills and rictal bristles. Many have repetitive and often mechanical songs.

Species

• Nechisar Nightjar Caprimulgus solala
• Chuck-will's-widow Caprimulgus carolinensis
• Rufous Nightjar, Caprimulgus rufus
• Greater Antillean Nightjar, Caprimulgus cubanensis
• Hispaniolan Nightjar, Caprimulgus ekmani
• Tawny-collared Nightjar, Caprimulgus salvini
• Yucatan Nightjar, Caprimulgus badius
• Silky-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus sericocaudatus
• Buff-collared Nightjar, Caprimulgus ridgwayi
• Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus
• Puerto Rican Nightjar, Caprimulgus noctitherus
• Dusky Nightjar, Caprimulgus saturatus
• Band-winged Nightjar, Caprimulgus longirostris
• White-winged Nightjar, Caprimulgus candicans
• Pygmy Nightjar, Caprimulgus hirundinaceus
• Little Nightjar, Caprimulgus parvulus
  • Todd's Nightjar, Caprimulgus (parvulus) heterurus; alternatively Santa Marta Nightjar.
• Spot-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus maculicaudus
• White-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus cayennensis
• Scrub Nightjar, Caprimulgus anthonyi
• Cayenne Nightjar, Caprimulgus maculosus
• Blackish Nightjar, Caprimulgus nigrescens
• Roraiman Nightjar, Caprimulgus whitelyi
• Brown Nightjar, Caprimulgus binotatus
• Red-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis
• Grey Nightjar, Caprimulgus indicus
• European Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
• Sombre Nightjar, Caprimulgus fraenatus
• Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena
• Egyptian Nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius
• Nubian Nightjar, Caprimulgus nubicus
• Sykes's Nightjar, Caprimulgus mahrattensis
• Vaurie's Nightjar, Caprimulgus centralasicus
• Golden Nightjar, Caprimulgus eximius
• Jerdon's Nightjar Caprimulgus atripennis
• Large-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus
• Andaman Nightjar, Caprimulgus andamanicus
• Mees's Nightjar, Caprimulgus meesi
• Philippine Nightjar, Caprimulgus manillensis
• Sulawesi Nightjar, Caprimulgus celebensis
• Donaldson-Smith's Nightjar, Caprimulgus donaldsoni
• Black-shouldered Nightjar, Caprimulgus nigriscapularis
• Fiery-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
• Montane Nightjar, Caprimulgus poliocephalus
• Ruwenzori Nightjar, Caprimulgus ruwenzorii
• Indian Nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus
• Madagascar Nightjar, Caprimulgus madagascariensis
• Swamp Nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
• Plain Nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
• Star-spotted Nightjar, Caprimulgus stellatus
• Savanna Nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis
• Freckled Nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
• Bonaparte's Nightjar, Caprimulgus concretus
• Salvadori's Nightjar, Caprimulgus pulchellus
• Itombwe Nightjar, Caprimulgus prigoginei
• Collared Nightjar, Caprimulgus enarratus
• Bates's Nightjar, Caprimulgus batesi
• Long-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus
• Slender-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus clarus
• Square-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus fossii