White-bellied bustards are rather small at 19 to 24 in long. All are tawny brown above and on the breast and white on the belly, with cream-coloured legs; juveniles have light brown necks and heads, and adults have blue-grey necks. The adult female has a grey crown, a brown and buff line below the eye, and black speckling on the throat. The adult male has a black crown, black lines on the white cheeks, a black throat patch, and a pinkish-red bill. This species is usually seen in pairs or family groups, as young stay with their parents much longer than those of other bustards in the region.