Its closest living relative, the white breasted guineafowl, Agelastes meleagrides inhabit primary forests in Central Africa.

The vulturine guineafowl is a large (61–71 centimetres (24–28 in)) bird with a round body and small head.

The breast is cobalt blue, and the rest of the body plumage is black, finely spangled with white.

The vulturine guineafowl is a gregarious species, forming flocks outside the breeding season typically of about 25 birds.

It breeds in dry and open habitats with scattered bushes and trees, such as savannah or grassland.