Young birds have a scaly back, and only vestiges of the head pattern.
The head pattern is the best distinction from Sand Partridge.
It resembles G. c. cyanotus, but with a less defined head pattern.
All plumages are similar, except that juveniles have a much less contrasted head pattern.
It has a striking head pattern, with a long white supercilum above a broad black band through the eye.
The sexes are similar, but the juvenile is duller with a weaker head pattern.
The is a weak "dog's head" pattern on the male forewing.
The females are greyish above and white below, with much weaker head patterns.
The female is similar, but with a weaker head pattern and duller underparts.
