The savanna nightjar is not a single kind of bird, but a group of slightly different species. Till now, there are at least ten known subspecies of these birds. Their common features include long, pointed wings, short legs and short bills. The feather cover of these birds is such that they very much resemble tree barks or dried leaves in colour.
These birds are found in open forests and have a special liking for rocky and dried areas. They are nocturnal and hunt down a variety of insects like crickets, mantises, beetles, dragonflies, flying termites, flies and flying ants. The usual hunting time is either before dawn or after dusk. They usually fly high above the ground to stalk their prey and have a parakeet like screeching voice when they fly. But they roost on the ground like other nightjars.
These birds are found throughout India. It is observed that these birds have adapted to life in urban environments, especially in countries like Indonesia where they build their nests in flat roof tops and building plots.
