A slim nightjar with a slightly elongated central tail. Both sexes have a large pale mark in the outer wing and along the sides of the tail, white in males and buff in females. Found mainly in dry savanna, but also in other open habitats. Similar to Long-tailed Nightjar, but usually shorter-tailed, and plumage is grayer in the area where their ranges overlap. Call is a slow mechanical trill, lower-pitched than similar calls of other nightjars. Also gives a “pwit” call, often in flight.