The Savanna Nightjar rests on the ground or rocks by day, blending into its surroundings, and catches flying insects at dusk and at night.
Its plumage blends with the ground and rocks. By day it rests on the ground or flat rocks and may fly off when approached.
It is active at dawn, dusk, and night, catching flying insects such as moths, beetles, and grasshoppers. Its short feet make walking difficult.
In Hong Kong it nests on open sandy or stony ground and hillsides. Nests at Tin Shui Wai in 1996, nearby in 2008, and at Ma On Shan in 2011 each contained two eggs.
In Hong Kong, males call while flying slowly with the wings in a shallow V or while perched on the ground, a branch, or a rooftop. The piercing territorial call is repeated at intervals of two to four seconds.
In Hong Kong, males have conspicuous white patches across the outer primaries and white outermost tail feathers. Females have buffy wing patches and less contrast between the tail edges and centre.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.