Small, pale buttonquail with pale eye and thick bill, found in grassland habitats across inland Australia. In some years, this species is very common; in others, it can be very scarce. In flight, note strong contrast between dark flight feathers and and bright yellowish back and wing coverts. Male has dark speckled markings on chest and flanks; female much more brightly plumaged, usually lacks breast markings. Call is a slow, double-noted "hoot-hoot."