Painted Buttonquail

Turnix varius(Latham, 1801)

Also known asMoolong

Least ConcernEndemic

Order: CHARADRIIFORMES
Family: Turnicidae
Genus: Turnix

Conservation: Least Concern
Commonness: Endemic
Best seen: Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

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.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length: 17–23 cm
Weight: 52–134 g
Wingspan: 29 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

Search leaf litter for 'platelets'—distinctive circular clearings created by the bird's unique spinning movement while foraging.

flight

When flushed, expect an explosive take-off with loud, whirring wings and a low, direct flight path before the bird quickly drops back into cover.

plumage

Adults feature a striking red iris and white 'painted' flecks on the face and breast, with females being more brightly marked and possessing a chestnut shoulder patch.

size_and_shape

Note the very round, plump-bodied silhouette with a disproportionately small head and short tail.

voice

Listen for a deep, resonant 'oom' call that repeats in an accelerating series; this low-frequency booming is most common at dawn or dusk and is notoriously difficult to locate.

02 · Where