This bird is distinguished by two head-crests and when alarmed, the back of the head crest is erected as it is when in mating courtship displays. It has a dark brown spotted back, a pink beak and blue skin around its eyes. Owing to the length of its 12 tail feathers, measuring up to 1.73 metres, its overall length varies between 1.9 to 2.4 metres. The female is much shorter at about 75cm. Whilst it resembles a peafowl in stature, it is undoubtedly a member of the pheasant family.