Plump ground-dwelling dove. Large for a quail-dove with buffy face, gray crown, scaly neck, and white throat. Body mostly brown. Sexes alike. Found in montane forests at higher elevations than other quail-doves, from 1,000–3,300 m. Usually walks on the ground unless flushed up into the lower levels of a tree. Like most quail-doves, often best seen by quietly walking along trails at dawn and dusk. Listen for low-pitched descending “coo” notes.