The little buttonquail is a small reddish brown bird with narrow white streaks on its upper parts. It is most often seen in flight when its distinctive white flanks are visible. It has a blue-grey beak, pink legs and feet, and pale eyes. The female is larger and more brightly coloured than the male. When disturbed it scuttles through the grass or flies low with whirring wings often showing its white flanks before it drops to cover. This bird is also known as butterfly, button, white-bellied quail or Turnix.