The strange name of this order of birds comes from the Latin words "capra" (a female goat) and "mulgere" meaning to milk an animal. It apparently came from an old European superstition that these birds drank goat's milk. People may have believed this because the birds flew close to the goats to catch the insects biting them. The goats were likely grateful.

These birds are nocturnal (active at night) and sleep during the day. They really only eat insects which they catch in flight beginning at dusk. Larger members of the order are known to swallow small birds caught on the wing. Common Nighthawks are plentiful in North America because they've adapted well to city life. They live on the pebble-covered flat roofs of buildings. The birds, and their eggs, are well camouflaged by mottled brown and black patterns. Every summer night their "zeep, zeep" cry is heard as darkness falls and their dinner begins.