Despite what this sounds like, it's not an insult. It's a kind of bird. Well, a bunch of kinds.
This is a Great-Eared Nightjar from India and Southeast Asia, picture from Science Focus below. Nightjars are also known as Goat-Suckers, because Aristotle thought they came in the night to suck the milk out of goats. Part of me is surprised that it wasn't Pliny the Elder that thought that, but that's just because I'm used to Pliny being absolutely ridiculous, and Aristotle being more mathy or philosophical.
Either way, the name Goat-Sucker stuck with these birds to some extent. They're also called Nightjars because they are nocturnal and their call is a bit jarring.
In this particular group are about 120 different species, some of which are rather interesting and I want to talk about on their own over the next few days, but the idea of these birds being called Goat Suckers just because Aristotle made an assumption is hilarious to me and I wanted to start with that.
I'll see you tomorrow with more information about one of the more unique ones of this group, but there is also more information below if you can't wait.
Sources:
Ornithology.com-- Nightjars and Goatsuckers
Science Friday-- The Nocturnal Oilbird
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