What do caprimulgiform birds actually eat when they fly near goats at dusk?

The belief that caprimulgiform birds, commonly known as nightjars or "goatsuckers," drink milk from goats is an ancient superstition. This misconception likely arose because these birds have uncommonly large mouths and are often seen flitting around goats at dusk.12

In reality, these birds do not consume milk. They are insectivorous and fly near goats to prey on the insects that are attracted to or disturbed by the animals. Their diet consists of a variety of insects, including beetles, moths, flies, mosquitoes, and the winged forms of ants and termites. While most caprimulgiforms are insectivorous, some larger species may occasionally consume small birds, and the oilbird is a notable exception that feeds exclusively on fruit.1234