Smaller than Spotted Thick-knee. Has a large, grey wing panel, narrow, white wing bar, and streaked (not spotted) upperparts. The wing panel and wing bar distinguish it in flight. It is mainly nocturnal, but more active by day than Spotted Thick-knee.
Juvenile resembles adult.
River edges and wetlands with suitable cover. Usually in pairs.
'Ti-ti-tee-teee-tooo', slowing and dropping in pitch at the end; usually heard at night.