A long-winged, large-headed, nocturnal bird of the Southeast. Adult is cryptically plumaged when perched, with gray-and-rufous wings spotted with black, primaries barred black and rufous, barred tail extending past wings, gray back with black streaks, buffy underparts with faint barring, short neck, large head, rufous ear patch, gray crown finely streaked with black, large black eye, and short, black bill. In flight, note uniform wings and white corners on outer tail feathers.

Length: 31 (cm) Wingspan: 66 (cm)

Habitat:

Wooded swamps and mixed forests.

Behavior:

Nocturnal; roosts by day on tree branch or other solid perch, using cryptic plumage for camouflage. Becomes active toward dusk. Flight is less erratic than other nighjars. Eggs are laid in bare leaf litter on ground.

Feeding:

Catches insects on the wing, opening bill wide and using bristle-like feathers around gape as a net.