Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a reddish brown crown, a gray back with black vermiculation, and a browner rump.

O. a. variegatus has a larger area of black on the crown than the nominate, its back is browner with a more intricate pattern, and its wings and belly have cinnamon tones.

O. a. navai also has a larger area of black on the crown and its body is drab dark brown with no reddish tones.

[7] The nominate subspecies of black-fronted wood quail is found in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of northeastern Colombia.

[7] The black-fronted wood quail forages in coveys of up to 10 birds, scratching in leaf litter for insects and berries.

One nest has been found; it was a bed of dried leaves and small sticks in a hollow in the ground and contained three eggs.