Caprimulgidae - the group to which the nightjars and nighhaowks belong. They are also called goatsuckers, which seems to be translation of the Latin. I wonder if that is based on allegation that they steal milk from goats. Sounds like an old wives tale.
I often used to see nighjars catching insects attracted to stree lights in Boston, down near Boston City Hospital. They are said to nest on flat roofs, so adapt reading to urban environment.
I wouldn't dare walk the streets of Boston at night now.
My daughter got mugged right inside Boston Universit;y School of Medicine, almost twenty years ago. How things have changed. But it would be PC incorrect to assign blame.