Medium-sized nightjar with a long-necked and short-headed profile; namesake “ears'' are often difficult to see. Note dark face, thin off-white collar, and white slashes on the throat (most visible in flight). Unlike many other nightjars, often perches quite erect on branches. Very similar to Great Eared-Nightjar, with which it overlaps incrementally in northern Malaysia; in good lighting, note Malaysian’s less contrasting crown and overall darker coloration. Gives a ringing “wit-peew-ow!” in flight. Flies over a range of habitats, from lowland rainforests to open scrub forest and farmland.