A chunky, chicken-like bird of northern forests. Adult is brownish overall with thick black bars on white flanks, brown patterned upperparts, dark band on tip of tail, brown head with pale throat, and an angular spiky crest. Some individuals are gray, some are bright rufous overall.

Length: 43 (cm) Wingspan: 56 (cm)

Voice:

Drumming male makes territorial, very low-pitched thumping noise, accelerating in middle, by whirring wings. Also various soft clucking sounds.

Habitat:

Riparian woodlands, mixed forests, deciduous woods.

Behavior:

Walks along ground, occasionally foraging among low branches of trees. Often encountered along rural roads in early morning, or by suddenly flushing from trail with loud wing whirr. Sometimes quite approachable. Drumming male stands on favorite log to make thumping sounds. Displaying male fans tail and black ruff feathers along neck. Nest is a lined ground depression, well concealed.

Feeding:

Forages on plant matter; eats primarily buds, seeds, fruit, and leaves, with occasional insects.