This ground-dwelling species is distinguished from longspurs by its thinner bill and slight crest. Adult: upperparts are dull brown with dark streaking on the back and a pale supercilium. The breast is buffy with a band of dark streaks. Blurry streaks extend down the sides. The belly and undertail coverts are white. In flight, the tail is brownish in the middle, framed by darker outer tail feathers and a white outer edge. The trailing edges of the inner primaries and secondaries are also white. Juvenile: upperparts are speckled with a scaly pattern on the wing coverts. The breast streaks are rows of spots, and the throat is less streaked than adults.

Length: 17 (cm) Wingspan: 33 (cm)

Habitat:

Grasslands, pastures, farm fields.

Behavior:

Nests and forages on the ground. Forms tight flocks in non-breeding season.

Feeding:

Forages on the ground for seeds, grains, insects.