Practical Zendesk Administration, 2nd Edition

Colophon

The animal on the cover of Practical Zendesk Administration is a European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus). The Latin name refers to the old myth that these birds would suckle from goats at night, causing the goats to stop producing milk or even go blind. This belief may have arisen from the fact that the birds were present around barns where insects were attracted to the farm animals. The concept of the goat-suckling nightjar was familiar even to Aristotle, though it does not appear in any Arab, Chinese, or Hindu traditions.

Nightjars are insectivores and do all of their eating on the wing. They hunt by sight and have relatively large eyes for birds their size; their eyes even have special reflective layers that improve night vision. Drinking and bathing also take place mid-flight after the bird makes a quick plunge into water to wash. Nightjars have unique serrated edges on their middle claws, which are used to preen and remove parasites.

Although European Nightjars are small, growing up to 11 inches from beak to tail, they can be quite effective hunters. They have been known to mob owls and other predators, and males will aggressively defend and protect their territories. Usually, a male will announce his presence with a long, 10 minute call that may change depending on where in his territory he is perched.

European nightjars spend the summer breeding in Western Europe and parts of Russia. They then migrate to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter, going as far as South Africa. ...