This spurfowl is the type species and one of three species in the genus "Galloperdix". Gmelin used the name of "Tetrao spadiceus" and the genus position was changed by Edward Blyth in 1844. The tail has 14 feathers and are slightly graduated. The wing is short and rounded and the red skin around the eye is brighter in the breeding season. The populations in three distribution ranges have been designated as subspecies; "caurina" for the populations in the Aravalli range, the south Kerala population "stewarti" and the nominate population of the rest of India. In colouration, the females show clinal variation becoming darker towards the south of their range.