Blood pheasants have the size of a small fowl, about 17 in in length with a short convex, very strong black bill, feathered between bill and eye and a small crest of various coloured feathers. The colour of the plumage above is dark ash, with white shafts, the coverts of the wings variously tinged with green, with broad strokes of white through the length of each feather, the feathers of the chin deep crimson; on the breast, belly and sides feathers are lance-shaped, of various length, the tips green with crimson margins, collectively resembling dashes of blood, scattered on the breast and belly. The tail consists of twelve sub-equal feathers, shafts white, rounded, the ends whitish, the coverts a rich crimson red.