Their preferred habitat south of the equator is plateau woodlands, especially Miombo, where they are partial to stony or boulder-strewn hillsides.

They are observed as bi-annual and social passage migrants along the Kenyan Rift Valley and Lake Victoria regions, and spend the non-breeding season in subtropical savanna from Nigeria to Sudan.

Foraging birds emerge in the late afternoon or directly after sunset for crepuscular feeding and are once again active before sunrise.

Males have separate display territories and attract passing females with an insect-like song.

Males furthermore engage in display flights, low through woodland or at great height, wherein they may be joined by receptive females.