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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Turnicidae
  4. ›
  5. Turnix
  6. ›
  7. Red-chested Buttonquail
Red-chested Buttonquail
Photo · John Gerrard Keulemans

BirdUp · Species

Red-chested Buttonquail

Turnix pyrrhothorax(Gould, 1841)

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Native
Order
CHARADRIIFORMES
Family
Turnicidae
Genus
Turnix

At a glance

The Red-chested Buttonquail is a small bird, about 12–16 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
12–16 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 Red-chested Buttonquail look like?

The Red-chested Buttonquail is a small bird, about 12–16 cm long and weighing 27–76 g.

The red-chested buttonquail 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.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
12–16 cm
Weight
27–76 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Red-chested Buttonquail?

The Red-chested 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 Red-chested Buttonquail eat?

The Red-chested 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 Red-chested Buttonquail live in Australia?

The Red-chested Buttonquail is native to Australia, recorded across 58 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingAustralia (except north, south-east, Tasmania)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Breeding

7 regions recorded