Crested wood partridges are sexually dimorphic (have two distinct gender forms). The male is slightly larger than the female, and is metallic green with a glossy blue underside, a brownish wing panel, a white spot on the forehead, and a tall red crest with black frontal bristles. The female is dark green with brown wing coverts and a bristled, slate-gray head. However, both sexes have bright red skin around their eyes and on their legs and beak. They are rotund, short-tailed birds.

Once a widespread species, this forest-dwelling bird is threatened by the alarming rate of lowland deforestation throughout its range.

Listed as "near threatened" on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).