Medium-sized, beautifully-patterned francolin. Complex head pattern is distinctive. Shows large rufous patches in the wings in flight. Found on the ground in areas with thick grass, including pure grassland, cultivation, and open savanna. Shy and retiring. Loud call is a dry, repeated “tek-tek-tek-chital-chew”. Similar to several other francolin species, which also show rufous in the wing. Separated by a careful look at the complex head pattern: a rufous neck stripe, white throat, and black-and-white barring. Lacks the black necklace of most similar francolins.