It is found throughout mainland Africa in open areas, arid semi-deserts, and savannas, with common sightings alongside roadways.

[2] Its plumage is primarily rufous-brown to gray-brown in colour, but has pale bands (white in males, buff in females) across the forewing, as well as along the trailing edge of the flight feathers.

[citation needed] A sexually immature Long-tailed Nightjar looks more similar to a female, however its plumage tends to be paler.

[8] C. c. sclateri has relatively darker and redder plumage, with its tail being dark brown on top and black below.

[2] C. c. nigricans has overall very dark plumage, with distinct black colouration on its upper parts interpolated with white specks.

[10] The long-tailed nightjar is found in the Afrotropical realm[11] in multiple African countries including Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda.

[2] No nest is built for the eggs, rather a clear patch of land, approximately 4 x 5 cm in size, is chosen.

[2] Nest locations include bare land, open soil, sand, clear patches between pebbles or leaf-litter, beside pathways, in a thicket or under small bushes in fields.

[11] When hunting over water or amongst trees, it sustains flight in a straight line, then abruptly swerves or dives for its prey.

[4] During flight, especially in the process of catching prey, the long-tailed nightjar often produces a "chuck" or "chiow".

[14] However, human activity, especially road traffic, has been a major mortality factor for the long-tailed nightjar.

[15] Recommended actions to lower their road mortality includes periodically honking the horn, slowing down speeds and flashing the headlights of vehicles.