BirdUp · Species
Brown Quail
Synoicus ypsilophorusHANZAB
Updated
Also known asDjirndihMerhmerhDjiribbidj
- Order
- GALLIFORMES
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Synoicus
At a glance
The Brown Quail is a small bird, about 17–22 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia.
- Size
- 17–22 cm
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Origin
- Native
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
What does a Brown Quail look like?
The Brown Quail is a small bird, about 17–22 cm long and weighing 69–140 g, identified by its fine black chevrons on underparts; pale, unmarked throat; finely streaked dark upperparts; and short, dark tail with yellowish barring.
The brown quail, also known as the swamp quail, silver quail and Tasmanian quail, is an Australasian true quail of the family Phasianidae. It is a small, ground-dwelling bird and is native to mainland Australia, Tasmania and Papua New Guinea and has been introduced to New Zealand and Fiji. Widespread and common throughout its large range, the brown quail is evaluated as being of "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 01
Fine black chevrons on underparts
Delicate, V-shaped or chevron-like barring across the buff, rufous or brown breast and belly. The most reliable plumage feature.
- 02
Pale, unmarked throat
Throat is typically plain off-white or buff, creating a distinct pale patch that contrasts with the mottled face and breast.
- 03
Finely streaked dark upperparts
Back and wings are dark brown and heavily mottled, marked with fine, pale longitudinal streaks.
- 04
Short, dark tail with yellowish barring
Appears very short and often tucked, but the dark colour with fine yellowish bars is distinctive when visible.
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
What does a Brown Quail eat?
The Brown Quail feeds on seeds, foliage/herbs and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.
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