This ground-dwelling bird forages in open country across South America. The sources describe several subspecies and habitats, from coastal dunes to dry highland plains.
The head and back are grayish brown, with a pale eyebrow. Its light breast is streaked, and the wings show rufous areas.
It feeds on the ground on arthropods such as flies and beetles, along with some seeds. It digs a tunnel in sandy ground or a bank and nests at its end.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.