The male has outer tail feathers that extend well beyond the body. This nightjar rests on the ground and catches flying insects at dusk and after dark.
The male's outer tail feathers extend far beyond the central ones, making a trident or W shape. Its plumage is finely brown-streaked with a pale collar and mottled underside; the female's tail is shorter.
Active at dusk and at night, it rests on the ground by day. It launches from a branch, roof, or other perch to catch beetles, moths, flies, and other insects in the air.
In Santa Fe, Argentina, in November–December 1999, four nests were found on the ground. Each of the three nests found with eggs held two; the eggs were pale pink or cream, with brownish spots or lines.
In Santa Fe, females incubated the eggs and brooded the chicks after hatching. Females were also seen catching insects and feeding the chicks at dusk or at night.
A newly hatched chick observed in Santa Fe had cinnamon-coloured down mixed with grey-brown and blackish patches, a black bill, and a white egg tooth.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.