Fairly common small game bird of open brushy woodland and overgrown weedy fields in tropical lowlands and foothills of northwest Mexico, sometimes near human settlement. Occurs in coveys for much of year, usually of 5–15 birds, which often feed along quiet roadsides early and late in the day. Flushes explosively with shrieks when disturbed. Both sexes have a short, upright fan-shaped crest and bold white spotting on the belly. No other quail in most of its range and habitat; endemic.