The Indian nightjar is a very common bird in India and also in Southeast Asia, Madagascar and the Aldabra Island.
It is a small bird, as large as myna, with a short tail that has white corners. The collar and back of the neck are golden in colour. The cheeks are dark and the sides of the throat have white patches.
One notable speciality of this bird is its ability to move very quickly and easily in the air. They fly silently as if wandering like a moth but, if a prey is spotted, can take turns and twists to avoid obstacles in chase of the prey. Insects are their major, if not only, prey.
At other times, they are found crouching on the ground singly. They also roost on the ground.
They produce a peculiar bird call, similar in sound to a ping-pong ball bouncing rapidly before coming to rest.
These birds prefer living in dry, open lands without many trees. Sometimes, they are also spotted on roads.