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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Turnicidae
  4. ›
  5. Turnix
  6. ›
  7. Buff-breasted Buttonquail
Buff-breasted Buttonquail
Photo · J. G. Keulemans, del.

BirdUp · Species

Buff-breasted Buttonquail

Turnix oliviiRobinson, 1900

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: Critically EndangeredOrigin: Endemic
Order
CHARADRIIFORMES
Family
Turnicidae
Genus
Turnix

At a glance

The Buff-breasted Buttonquail is a medium-sized bird, about 18–22 cm long, listed as Critically Endangered and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
18–22 cm
Conservation status
Critically Endangered
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Rare
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Buff-breasted Buttonquail look like?

The Buff-breasted Buttonquail is a medium-sized bird, about 18–22 cm long.

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.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
18–22 cm
Wingspan
35 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Buff-breasted Buttonquail?

The Buff-breasted Buttonquail is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Buff-breasted Buttonquail eat?

The Buff-breasted Buttonquail feeds on seeds and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

2 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Buff-breasted Buttonquail live in Australia?

The Buff-breasted Buttonquail is endemic to Australia, recorded across 3 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingSouth-east Cape York Pen., north-east QLD (north-east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant
  • Breeding

4 regions recorded