Adults' crowns are gray, from very light in front fairly deep at the back and into the nape.

The hindneck and sides of the neck are cinnamon; on the latter loose feathers give the impression of dark furrows.

[3] The white-faced quail-dove is found discontinuously in several southern states of Mexico, much of Guatemala and Honduras, and small areas of northern El Salvador and northwestern Nicaragua.

It inhabits humid montane forest of several types including evergreen and pine-evergreen, and also shade coffee plantations.

[3] The white-faced quail-dove forages singly or in pairs while walking on the ground, where it tends to favor dense cover.

[1] However, though it has a large range, its population is believed to be declining, and it is considered by Mexican authorities to be threatened there.