Gamebird of dry, shrubby areas; especially common in hilly and montane regions. Male has white cheeks and rufous on the crown, shoulders, and vent, but is predominantly covered with delicate black-and-white scaling. Female is similarly intricate in her patterning but is browner and less bright overall. Singing males often stand on exposed rocks and hilltops to give their song, a metallic series of notes often likened to “come-to-the-peak-ah-ah!”