They inhabit subtropical woodlands, and the males of both species acquire strikingly elongated primaries in the breeding season.

However, the former genus is now considered to be a synonym of Caprimulgus Linnaeus, 1758.

The primaries of the females and immature males are boldly barred in rufous and brown.

Both the wing and remige shapes differ from other African nightjars, the primaries being without clear emargination.

The standard-winged nightjar disperses southwards for breeding in the late Northern Hemisphere winter, while the pennant-winged nightjar crosses the equator southwards to breed in the early Southern Hemisphere summer.