The adult male's forehead, crown, nape, hindneck, and breast are mostly dull purplish pink and the rest of the head and underparts are gray.

The upper back and wing coverts are dark brown and show creamy white spots.

The adults' head, neck, rump, and the whole of the underparts are blue-gray with a purplish wash that is especially pronounced in the male.

[8] P. m. maculosa is found in southeastern Bolivia south and east through Paraguay, southern Brazil, and Uruguay to south-central Argentina.

It also inhabits arid to semi-arid open woodland and scrub, but at elevations generally between 2,000 and 4,300 m (6,600 and 14,100 ft).

P. m. maculosa's diet is mostly seeds, including rice and sunflower, but it has been observed eating fruit and leaves.

P. m. maculosa's song is "a rhythmic series of very hoarse-sounding coos...'cuuuuu uh-cuh-cuuuh...' repeated two or three times.