A large owlet-nightjar of lowland and foothill forests. Rufous or dark brown morphs present and also intergrades. Three broad, pale buffy, vertical bands on the chest separated by 2 dark bands. Distinctive white stars on the back and dark arrowhead marks on the chest. The only owlet-nightjar in its range. Call a series of 3 or more descending notes “weuuu we-wu” with the first the longest and downslurred. Sometimes followed by a maniacal cackle.