A small buttonquail confined to Sumba, with a very short tail. It is found in grassland and scrub.
It has a heavy bill and an almost absent tail, with streaking on the upperparts.
It occurs in native grassland and scrub in Sumba's lowlands and on low ridges.
It may be seen in small groups. The eBird account says its calls are unknown.
An orange-rufous patch marks the chest, and the undertail is whitish.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.