Unobtrusive, poorly-known tinamou. Mostly rusty-colored with a scaly back and wings. Females are more boldly marked on the back and wings than males. Found at the edge of dense forests and especially in white sand forests. The song is a rather short double whistle: “whoo-whoooooooo.” The similar Variegated Tinamou has a grayish head and more barring on the back.