A small, pretty nightjar with rufous tones in the plumage. Both sexes have small pale marks in the outer wings and at the corners of the tail. These are larger and whiter on males, and smaller and more buffy in females. Locally common in dry savanna and thornscrub. Smaller, more heavily patterned, and more rufous than other nightjars in its range, but most easily identified by voice. Distinctive call is a plaintive “chuu-we-cheo” that is quickly repeated, sometimes for a long time.