[3][4] The grey nightjar breeds and forages in early successional habitats surrounded by forests; its populations have declined since the 1970s in Japan.

The central tail feathers are gray-brown with dense dark brown vermiculated markings and 6 or 7 black wavy horizontal bands.

The lores, supercilium, cheeks, chin, and throat are dark brown with yellowish-brown spots on the feather tips.

[4] The grey nightjar song is a series of hollow byuck notes lasting 2–4 seconds and repeated at short intervals, like the firing of a cartoon laser gun (click to hear).

The resident range includes: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Singapore; Some sedentary populations breed within the resident range while other migratory populations breed also in Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia and Vietnam.

There are also some non-breeding occurrence in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Russian Federation (Eastern Asian Russia), and Thailand.

[8][18] The grey nightjar habitat can be high, up to 3300 m (10827 ft) in altitude, includes forest, shrubland, cliffs or mountain rocks, and anthropogenic constructions.

No nest is constructed, and eggs are laid directly on the ground, on rocks, or within dense coniferous forests, bamboo groves, or shrub thickets, as well as in open, bare areas.

[3][11][12] While individuals may occasionally consume seeds intentionally, various solid and hard particles such as wood, glass shards, and gravel have also been found in some birds.

[8] As this species possesses the ability to integrate into urban areas, there is no concern of habitat fragmentation under current circumstances.

[8][11] Although there is no systematic monitoring scheme, the entire range of the grey nightjar crosses through many conservation sites and the populations are tracked by local governments.