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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Phasianidae
  4. ›
  5. Coturnix
  6. ›
  7. Stubble Quail
Stubble Quail
Photo · no rights reserved

BirdUp · Species

Stubble Quail

Coturnix pectoralisGould, 1837

Updated 11 June 2026

Also known asMuyanMunaMoornba

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Endemic
Order
GALLIFORMES
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Coturnix

At a glance

The Stubble Quail is a small bird, about 16–20 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
16–20 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Stubble Quail look like?

The Stubble Quail is a small bird, about 16–20 cm long and weighing 75–125 g.

The stubble quail, whose other common names include grey quail and pectoral quail, is a species of Old World quail native to Australia. The species is widespread across the Australian mainland and Tasmania. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and is a common inhabitant of grasslands and agricultural areas. It is the primary native upland game bird legally hunted in several Australian states, subject to seasonal regulations.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
16–20 cm
Weight
75–125 g
Wingspan
25 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

flight

  • When flushed from cover, the bird makes a sudden, explosive departure accompanied by a loud, mechanical whirring sound produced by rapid wingbeats.

plumage

  • Adult males feature a distinctive orange-buff throat and a dark smudge on the center of the chest, whereas females have a pale, speckled throat.
  • Look for prominent white or cream longitudinal streaks running down the length of the back and flanks, creating a distinctively striped appearance.

size_and_shape

  • This species has a particularly chunky, pot-bellied silhouette with a noticeably small head and very short tail.

voice

  • Listen for a loud, piercing three-note whistle, often transcribed as 'tu-wheet' or 'chu-chi-chi,' typically delivered from the ground at dawn or dusk.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Stubble Quail?

The Stubble Quail 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

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

jimchurches · Parkwood Rd, Wallaroo, NSW, AU

Call

jimchurches · Cunningar NSW 2587, Australia

Call

Richard Shirky · Elsmore NSW 2360, Australia

Call

Peter Crowcroft · Point Wilson VIC 3212, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Stubble Quail eat?

The Stubble Quail feeds on seeds, foliage/herbs and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

2 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Stubble Quail live in Australia?

The Stubble Quail is endemic to Australia, recorded across 75 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingAustralia (except north)

Non-breedingAustralia (nomadic/dispersive)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Breeding

8 regions recorded