The usual call is a series of thacoo or chuck notes (at the rate of 5 every 2 seconds[2]) like a distant engine.

This sometimes ends in quick whistling foo-foo with the quality of sounds obtained when air is blown over an open bottle.

[7][8] Older treatments include the widely distributed (China, Japan) migratory subspecies jotaka and phalaena (Palau Island) in this species.

The jungle nightjar becomes active at dusk, often over hilly grassland or scrub, perching regularly at favourite prominent bare posts or rocks.

[3][10] The breeding season in India is January to June and March to July in Sri Lanka.