It is a resident breeder in the mountains of Central America from southern Mexico to western Panama.

The spotted wood quail is 25 cm long and weighs 300 g. It has an orange crest which is raised when it is excited.

Spotted wood quails are found in groups of 4 to 10; they forage on the ground, scratching at the soil for seeds, fallen fruit and insects.

This is a shy and wary species, which will normally make its escape on foot, but if startled it will explode into a short fast flight into cover.

This species is reported as locally common in suitable habitat in Costa Rica and Panama, but has been adversely in much of its range by rampant deforestation.