A small, dark scrubfowl of forest and disturbed habitats on the Bay Islands where the only member of its family. Sooty gray plumage, bare red to gray face, slight crest at the back of the head, reddish legs, and yellowish bill. It scrapes the forest floor with its large feet to uncover invertebrates. More often heard than seen. Vocal, giving varied parrotlike squeals. A common call is 2 tuneless yelps similar to New Guinea Scrubfowl, the first note higher than the second.