What do most caprimulgiform birds eat?

Most caprimulgiform birds are insectivorous, meaning they feed primarily on insects. Many species, such as nightjars and nighthawks, catch flying insects on the wing, often during twilight or at night. While beetles are a predominant food source for many species, they also consume moths, mosquitoes, and the winged forms of ants and termites. Some larger species may occasionally eat small birds, mice, or frogs.123

Feeding strategies vary by group:
* Nightjars and Nighthawks: Often feed through continuous, erratic flight or by making short sallies from perches to capture prey.1
* Potoos: Typically sally from exposed perches to catch insects.1
* Frogmouths and Owlet-frogmouths: Primarily feed on terrestrial prey, such as large crawling arthropods, though they may also take snails, small vertebrates, and occasionally fruit.1

The oilbird is a notable exception; it is the only nocturnal, exclusively frugivorous bird in the order, feeding on protein- and fat-rich fruits from trees such as palms and laurels.1