Red-chested buttonquail

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Red-chested buttonquail
Turnix pyrrhothorax.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Turnicidae
Genus: Turnix
Species:
T. pyrrhothorax
Binomial name
Turnix pyrrhothorax
(Gould, 1841)
Red-chested Button-Quail.jpg
The Distribution of the red-chested buttonquail. Green denotes vagrant records

The red-chested buttonquail (Turnix pyrrhothorax) is a species of bird in the family Turnicidae. It is endemic to Australia. The species is generally regarded as widespread, although uncommon, in New South Wales, Queensland, northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and classified as Vulnerable in Victoria.

Contents

The red-chested buttonquail is a small reddish-brown, ground-running bird, which avoids flying. The female is brighter and slightly larger in size and weight. The female is polyandrous, initiating courtship among several males and expelling rival females from her territory.

Taxonomy

The red-chested buttonquail was originally described by ornithologist John Gould in 1841, Aberdeen, New South Wales, Australia. It was originally named Hemipodius pyrrhothorax. [2]

The red-chested buttonquail belongs to the bird family Turnicidae, which resemble, but are unrelated to the Quail or Phasianidae. [3] There are 17 species in the family Turnicidae, with two genera, Turnix and Ortyxelos . The red-chested buttonquail belongs to the genus Turnix. [4] The red-chested buttonquail is usually regarded as monotypic, but recent proposal to treat T. worcesteri and T. everetti as subspecies of present species. Proposed subspecies berneyi (NW Australia) and intermedia (Queensland) are no longer recognized, because they are based on individual rather than geographical variation. [2] [5]

Description

Adult red-chested buttonquails are 12–16 cm long with males weighing 27-46 g and females 31-83 g. [2] The species is smaller in size than the painted button-quail. Viewed from behind, red-chested buttonquail look uniformly pale grey across the upper-wings and back. Side-on, the rufous wash on the upper-parts of the red-chested buttonquail is obvious. From close range its thick blue-grey beak, pink legs and feet, and pale eyes can be seen. [6] [7]

Females are brighter than males, with rufous of underparts brighter and extending over throat to sides of head, and narrower and denser barring on flanks that rarely extend onto breast as scalloping. Juveniles are smaller, darker above with white streaks and dark barring, bold white spots on wing-coverts, underparts white with rufous-brown gorget and upper breast scalloped. [8]

The red-chested buttonquail is more commonly sighted in woodland habitats, than grassland habitats. [2] When disturbed it scuttles through the grass or flies low with whirring wings often showing its white flanks before it drops to cover. [7] The species generally prefers to stay close to the ground and avoids flying. [9]

Similar species

The red-chested buttonquail is most easily distinguished by its uniformed grey-brown tone on its upper side and orange chestnut flakes. While the little buttonquail (Turnix velox) can be recognised by its distinctly reddish-brown or pinkish toned under-body and the contrasting tones between parts of its wings. The red-backed buttonquail (Turnix maculosus) has a darker slate-grey or blackish tone on its upper side and has dark underparts except for a contrasting wing panel. [7]

Distribution and habitat

Red-chested buttonquails are found along the eastern side of Australia and the top of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. They are not found in Tasmania. [10]

The species' preferred habitat is in dense grasslands, and open, grassy, woodland of Acacia (Fabaceae), river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and Black box (E. largiflorens) or Melaleuca (Myrtaceae), but also in crops and weedy fields with dense ground cover, and from coastal plains. They occur between sea level and 1000m above sea level. [2] [6] They are generally found in moister, denser vegetation cover than the little buttonquail, but also inhabit semi-arid zones. The common factors in their desired habitat seems to be bare ground and abundant leaf litter, little or no understorey, patches of tussock grass or sedges. The birds normally forage in open area of deep leaf litter, and retreat to the undercover of tussocks or woody debris if threatened. [11]

Behaviour

Feeding

The red-chested buttonquail feeds on seeds (grasses, Triticum, Panicum and Malvaceae) and insects (cockroaches, ants, flies and larvae). [8] Foraging occurs throughout the day, although the species has been said to be nocturnal and crepuscular. [6] [12] They make platelets while foraging, which is typical for the genus Turnix. They glean and scratch in leaf litter, while rotating on the spot by pivoting on one foot and raking with the other. Occasionally pecking at the ground, which can sometimes be detected in dry periods by the small puffs of dust they cause while making the platelets. [2] [6] They have been recorded feeding alone, in pairs or small groups of up to five. [8]

Breeding

The species breeds within tussock grasslands, spinifex or Melaleuca woodland, pastures of native grass, standing crops and stubble. [2] The red-chested buttonquails are solitary breeders and females are sequentially polyandrous. The female usually constructs the nest and it is depression lined with grass, hooked, and shelter by grass tussock. [8]

Eggs are laid in February–July/September in the north, and September–February in the south. Usually four white eggs with chestnut-brown markings are laid at one- or two-day intervals. Incubation lasts 13–18 days from completion of clutch. Males incubate and care for chicks alone. Chicks leave the nest precocial and nidifugous. They are grey-brown with dark and pale dorsal stripes. They reach adult size in 6–8 weeks and adult-like plumage at 2–3 months. [8] They reach sexual maturity at 6 months. [10]

Vocalization and communication

The female is known to display a repetitive advertising call of “oom” note, which increases in pitch and intensity. Disturbed birds utter a sharp chattering call. Adults are also known to communicate various soft whistles and chirrups. Juvenile birds have a weak, domestic, chicken-like call if handled. [2]

Migration

Red-chested buttonquails are partial migrants. [3] Red-chested buttonquails are known to have seasonal migration between inland arid regions to semi-arid areas nearer the coast, from winter to spring and summer. Some populations remain in one region all year round. The amount of movement is influenced by factors such as rainfall, plant growth and food availability. [7]

In captivity

In captivity, if the enclosure is too small, the red-chested buttonquail is known to become aggressive. Males may fight each other's offspring, while females may kill offspring of other females, so that the male will re-mate. [7]

Conservation status and threats

The red-chested buttonquail is classified as Least concern by the IUCN. [1] It is not listed as threatened by the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, but its conservation status varies from state to state within Australia. It is listed as "threatened" by the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988). [13] Under this Act, an Action Statement for the recovery and future management of this species has not yet been prepared. [14] On the 2007 advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna in Victoria, the red-chested buttonquail is listed as vulnerable. [15]

The red-chested buttonquail is thought to be uncommon but secure throughout the rest of its Australian range. [6] This species was formerly hunted for food and sport, and occasionally killed by feral pests for example cats and foxes. [2] The major threat to this species is loss of suitable habitat. This species has not adapted to crop and farmland habitats to the extent of many other Buttonquail species. [10] Red-chested buttonquail who nest in crops have been known to lose their clutches due to harvesting. [2]

This species generally ranges from uncommon to locally common, with densities of 0·2–5 birds/ha reported. In the northern parts of its distribution range the species is frequent or at least widespread, but considered to be only sparsely distributed over much of Queensland, especially in coastal areas. In the southern parts of its distribution range the species is declining or suspected to be declining. The species is very uncommon in South Australia, infrequently recorded in New South Wales (where threatened in west of state) and very few records in Victoria. The species decline in Victoria is highly due to the conversion of native grasslands to agriculture, with 95% of such habitat having been destroyed or degraded in Victoria. [2]

Grazing by livestock, crop and pasture production, and the removal of woody debris for firewood, are threatening processes for the Red-chested buttonquail. Desired habitats of the Red-chested buttonquail such as ground covers, tussock grass, sedges and woody debris, should be managed to ensure suitable habitat conditions for this species remain. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buttonquail</span> Family of birds

Buttonquail or hemipodes are members of a small family of birds, Turnicidae, which resemble, but are not closely related to, the quails of Phasianidae. They inhabit warm grasslands in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia. There are 18 species in two genera, with most species placed in the genus Turnix and a single species in the genus Ortyxelos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barred buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The barred buttonquail or common bustard-quail is a buttonquail, one of a small family of birds which resemble, but are not closely related to, the true quails. This species is resident from India across tropical Asia to south China, Indonesia and the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The common buttonquail, also called Kurrichane buttonquail, small buttonquail, or Andalusian hemipode is a buttonquail, one of a small family of birds which resemble but are not closely related to the true quails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Painted buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The painted buttonquail is a species of buttonquail, the family Turnicidae, which resemble, but are unrelated to, the quails of Phasianidae. This species is resident in Australia where numbers are believed to be in decline. A subspecies, the Abrolhos painted buttonquail, is endemic to the Houtman Abrolhos islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The little buttonquail is a species of buttonquail, part of a small family of birds which resemble, but are unrelated to, the true quails. This species is resident in Australia, where it is one of the more common buttonquails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jungle bush quail</span> Species of bird from the Indian subcontinent

The jungle bush quail is a species of quail in the family Phasianidae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent, where it is found in peninsular India and Sri Lanka. It has also been reported from Nepal but has not been seen there since the 19th century, and an introduced population exists on the island of Réunion. A small species of quail 15–18 cm (5.9–7.1 in) long and weighing 57–82 g (2.0–2.9 oz), it shows significant sexual dimorphism. Males have brown upperparts with blackish and buff marking and whitish underparts with black barring. The face is mainly dark reddish-brown, with brown ear-coverts, a buffy-white moustachial stripe, and the supercilium turning whitish towards the back of the neck. Females have a similar pattern, but with pinkish-brown underparts, more uniform wings, and duller moustachial stripes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-legged buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The yellow-legged buttonquail is a buttonquail, one of a small family of birds which resemble, but are unrelated to, the true quails. This family is peculiar in that the females are larger and more colourful than the males and are polyandrous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buff-breasted buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The buff-breasted buttonquail is the largest and possibly the rarest of the buttonquail. This species is endemic to Cape York Peninsula, in Queensland, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stubble quail</span> Species of bird

The stubble quail is a native Australian species which is the most common quail species in Australia. The species is not under any threat of extinction. Stubble quail are widespread and found throughout all states and territories of Australia excluding Tasmania. Other common names include grey quail and pectoral quail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-breasted buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The black-breasted buttonquail is a rare buttonquail endemic to eastern Australia. As with other buttonquails, it is unrelated to the true quails. The black-breasted buttonquail is a plump quail-shaped bird 17–19 cm (6.7–7.5 in) in length with predominantly marbled black, rufous, and pale brown plumage, marked prominently with white spots and stripes, and white eyes. Like other buttonquails, the female is larger and more boldly coloured than the male, with a distinctive black head and neck sprinkled with fine white markings. The usual sex roles are reversed, as the female mates with multiple male partners and leaves them to incubate the eggs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African crake</span> A bird in the rail family that breeds in most of sub-Saharan Africa.

The African crake is a small- to medium-size ground-living bird in the rail family, found in most of central to southern Africa. It is seasonally common in most of its range other than the rainforests and areas that have low annual rainfall. This crake is a partial migrant, moving away from the equator as soon as the rains provide sufficient grass cover to allow it to breed elsewhere. There have been a few records of vagrant birds reaching Atlantic islands. This species nests in a wide variety of grassland types, and agricultural land with tall crops may also be used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spot-winged wood quail</span> Species of bird

The spot-winged wood quail is a species of bird in the family Odontophoridae. It is found in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, and formerly in Uruguay. In Portuguese and Spanish the bird is called uru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quail-plover</span> Species of bird

The quail-plover, lark buttonquail or lark-plover is a small ground-living bird in the buttonquail family Turnicidae that is found in the Sahel region of Africa and in a disjunct region of East Africa. It is the only species placed in the genus Ortyxelos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chestnut-backed buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The chestnut-backed buttonquail is a species of bird in the family Turnicidae. It is endemic to Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sumba buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The Sumba buttonquail is a species of bird in the family Turnicidae. The scientific name commemorates British colonial administrator and zoological collector Alfred Hart Everett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-rumped buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The black-rumped buttonquail is a small species of bird in the buttonquail family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-backed buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The red-backed buttonquail is a species of bird in the family Turnicidae. It is found in Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and the Solomon Islands. Other names by which it is known in different parts of its range include black-backed, black-spotted and orange-breasted buttonquail. There are fourteen recognised subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madagascar buttonquail</span> Species of bird

The Madagascar buttonquail is a species of bird in the buttonquail family, Turnicidae, that is endemic to Madagascar and a few small islands nearby. It is a ground-dwelling species with an unusual breeding biology in which the sexual dimorphism is reversed, with female being more brightly coloured than the male and it is the male that incubates the eggs and mainly cares for the young.

Luzon buttonquail or the Worcester's buttonquail, is a species of bird in the family Turnicidae. It is endemic to the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland. It is locally known as "Pugo". It is a cryptic species and not easy to observe and is listed as "Data Deficient" by the IUCN.

The New Caledonia buttonquail is a species of bird in the family Turnicidae. It is endemic to New Caledonia. It previously was considered a subspecies of the painted buttonquail.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2016). "Turnix pyrrhothorax". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22680595A92867439. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680595A92867439.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Red-chested Buttonquail (Turnix pyrrhothorax)". www.hbw.com. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  3. 1 2 Chan, Ken (2001). "Partial migration in Australian landbirds: a review". Emu. 101 (4): 281–292. doi:10.1071/mu00034. S2CID   82259620.
  4. ↑ Oiseaux.net. "Family : Turnicidae". www.oiseaux.net. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  5. ↑ "Red-chested Buttonquail (Turnix pyrrhothorax)". The Internet Bird Collection. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Conole, Lawrie; Macnally, Ralph (2001). "Field identification, ecology and conservation status of the Red-chested Button-quail Turnix pyrrhothorax in Northern Victoria". The Victorian Naturalist. The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria. 2 (118).
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Little Button-quail". Birds in Backyards. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Madge, S; McGowan, P (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. London: Christopher Helm.
  9. ↑ Archibald, George (1991). Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds. London: Merehurst Press. p. 101. ISBN   1-85391-186-0.
  10. 1 2 3 "Red chested Button Quail or Turnix pyrrothorax". www.birdcare.com.au. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  11. ↑ Marchant, S; Higgings, P (1993). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Raptors to Lapwings. Vol. 2. Oxford University Press.
  12. ↑ Crouther, M (1994). "Spotless Crake grounded at Eungella, North Queensland". Sunbird (24): 28–29.
  13. ↑ Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria Archived 2005-07-18 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria Archived 2006-09-11 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2007). Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 2007. East Melbourne, Victoria: Department of Sustainability and Environment. p. 15. ISBN   978-1-74208-039-0.
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