Medium-sized, typical nightjar, with a strong rufous collar. Both sexes have small pale marks in the outer wings and large ones at the tail corners that are white in males and buff in females. Found in a variety of habitats, including savannah, woodland, forest, and plantations. Song is a distinctive series of whistles: “dear lord, deliver us!” Most similar to Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, but darker, with a brighter and more distinct rufous collar. Male has less white in the wing and more in the tail than Rufous-cheeked Nightjar. Female has larger buff tail corners than Rufous-cheeked Nightjar.