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.

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