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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Turnicidae
  4. ›
  5. Turnix
  6. ›
  7. Chestnut-backed Buttonquail
Chestnut-backed Buttonquail
Photo · Broinowski, Gracius J.

BirdUp · Species

Chestnut-backed Buttonquail

Turnix castanotus(Gould, 1840)

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Native
Order
CHARADRIIFORMES
Family
Turnicidae
Genus
Turnix

At a glance

The Chestnut-backed Buttonquail is a small bird, about 14–20 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
14–20 cm
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Chestnut-backed Buttonquail look like?

The Chestnut-backed Buttonquail is a small bird, about 14–20 cm long and weighing 68–124 g.

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

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
14–20 cm
Weight
68.2–124 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Chestnut-backed Buttonquail?

The Chestnut-backed 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 Chestnut-backed Buttonquail eat?

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

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

5 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Chestnut-backed Buttonquail live in Australia?

The Chestnut-backed Buttonquail is native to Australia, recorded across 18 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingNorth WA, Top End and satellites (north NT; north-central Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant
  • Non-breeding
  • Resident

4 regions recorded