Unusually for a galliform species, the young are fed bill-to-bill by both parents instead of pecking from the ground, and although precocial, they roost in the nest while small.

The crested partridge is a rotund short-tailed bird, 25 cm (9.8 in) in length, with the male marginally larger than the female.

Both sexes have a scarlet patch of bare skin around the eye and red legs without a spur or hind toe.

The head is adorned with a tall red crest, a white forehead spot and black frontal bristles.

The crested partridge is usually seen singly or in pairs as it uses its feet to probe the forest floor for fruit, seeds and invertebrates.