The male has spotted black-green plumage and a golden-buff belly, while the female is mostly brown and olive. The species lives among dry rocky ground and thorn scrub in India.
The male's head and neck are metallic black-green with white spots; its chest and belly are golden buff with black triangular marks. The female's head and neck are dark chestnut.
Painted Spurfowl use dry scrub and rocky habitats in India.
A2022 Bundelkhand report recorded the species among108birds at11cliff sites across three districts, surveying cliff tops, faces and bases.
The report describes quarrying pressures and community committees formed to help identify and protect bird sites.
IUCN Red List (BirdLife listing) · Least Concern · Global
BirdLife lists Least Concern with a suspected stable trend. Bundelkhand researchers identify quarrying as a regional threat to cliff habitats used by birds, including this spurfowl.