Usually found in forests or natural settings, a Baobhan Sith has the form of a beautiful woman in a green dress. One version of the legend says that they have deer hooves for feet, which they keep hidden under the dress. Often several Baobhan Siths will appear together as a group. Legends have them seducing young men with their beauty, inviting the men to dance with them

There is a certain legend in regards to the Baobhan Sith, where a group of young travelers stopped for the night in a small glade in the Scottish Highlands. They build a fire and begin to wish for the company of beautiful women. Four stunning women appear, and begin to dance with the men. The dance, which started out for enjoyment, becomes harsh, and the women tear at the men and draw blood. One of the men runs from their shelter and hides between two horses. The strange women circle the horses, but cannot seem to cross to him. When dawn comes, they disappear. He finds his companions dead and drained of blood. It is thought that the Baobhan Sith could not cross to him because of the iron in the shoes of the horses.

The weakness of the Baobhan Sith seems similar to most vampires: they cannot tolerate daylight. It also seems that they do not use fangs to draw blood, and rather use sharp fingernails. Similar to other vampires, Baobhan Sith use seduction to gain their victims. According to legend, they arise from their graves once a year to feed, and a way to stop them from waking is to build a cairn over their grave.