Venezuelan Wood Quail

Overview

The Venezuelan wood quail (Odontophorus columbianus) is a species of New World quail found exclusively in the Venezuelan Coastal Range. Classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, the species faces pressure from habitat loss and hunting.

Identification

• Length of 25 to 30 cm with males weighing approximately 343 g and females 336 g.
• Adult males feature a white throat and chin with black streaks, contrasting with reddish-brown plumage marked by large white spots on the breast, belly, and flanks.
• Females and juveniles display paler brown underparts with less conspicuous white markings.
• Produces an advertising call described as a rapidly repeated antiphonal duet sounding like 'churdole-chur-it'.

Habitat

Primarily inhabits the central part of Venezuela's Coastal Range, ranging from Carabobo east to northwestern Miranda, with isolated records in Táchira near the Colombian border. It occupies the floor of subtropical cloudforests at elevations between 800 and 2,400 m.

Diet

Forages by scratching litter and bare soil to feed on seeds, fruits, insects, worms, and roots.

Did you know?

The species is monotypic, meaning it has no recognised subspecies, yet it has been suggested that it is actually part of a complex with four other wood quail species.