Found in brushy and grassy habitats, including riparian woodlands, oak woodlands, chaparral/sagebrush, and second-growth areas.

Brown wings, teardrop-shaped head plume. Body color generally grayish brown. Male has black throat outlined with white. Underparts have a scaly appearance.

Nest is placed on the ground and consists of simple scrape or depression that is lined with leaves and grasses. Diet is mostly vegetable matter, including seeds, leaves, flowers, berries, waste grain, catkins, and plant galls; also some insects and spiders.