Wallace’s Owlet-nightjar is active at night. Its plumage is mottled with several colors, and it occurs on New Guinea and some surrounding islands.
Its plumage is patterned brown, gray, rufous, buff, and black. It has a large head, forward-facing eyes, rounded wings, and long claws.
It is nocturnal, nests in holes, and eats small invertebrates such as spiders and millipedes.
Its whistled pweet-pyuut call has a falling first note and a lower second note; either note may also be given alone.
The dark brown wings and tail are barred, with small white wing flecks. Irregular dark arrowhead marks cover the buff-based chest, and there is no distinct pale collar.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.