Spot-winged Wood Quail

Overview

The spot-winged wood quail is a species of bird in the family Odontophoridae found in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It inhabits subtropical and tropical dry lowland forests, where it is common in at least part of its range, though some northern populations face hunting pressure.

Identification

• Size: Approximately 26 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) in length.
• Plumage: Reddish-brown crown with a loose buff-speckled crest; upper parts are greyish-brown with white shaft streaks on the neck, mantle, back, and scapulars; underparts and sides of the head are slatey-grey.
• Markings: Reddish-cinnamon supercilium and chest-band; brown iris with a bare red area around the eyes.
• Bill and Legs: Blackish bill and dark grey legs.

Habitat

Native to eastern and southeastern Brazil, the extreme northeastern part of Argentina, and the eastern part of Paraguay, it formerly occurred in Uruguay. It inhabits dry lowland forest, including secondary forest, at altitudes not exceeding 1,600 m.

Diet

The diet includes fallen nuts of Araucaria and other trees, berries of pokeweed and other plants, and probably invertebrates.

Did you know?

Spot-winged wood quails roost well off the ground in trees at night, contrasting with their typical behaviour of moving around on the ground in small groups during the day.