Chestnut Wood Quail

Overview

The chestnut wood quail (Odontophorus hyperythrus) is a species of New World quail found only in Colombia. It is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, having been downgraded from Near Threatened in 2020.

Identification

• Measures 25 to 29 cm in length, with males weighing 325 to 380 g and females 325 to 330 g.
• Adult males have a chestnut head and brown back, rump, and wings, with fine black vermiculation on the rump and rufous throat and undersides.
• Females and juveniles feature a dusky brown crown and dark gray breast and belly, with both sexes displaying grayish white feathers around the eye.
• Advertising call described as a "rollicking, rapidly repeated duet, 'orrit-kilyit...'", and alarm call as a low "'peetit, peetit...'".

Habitat

Inhabits the interior and edges of subtropical montane forest, both primary and secondary, within the western, central, and locally eastern Andes of Colombia. Found at elevations ranging from 1,600 to 2,800 m, this primarily terrestrial bird has been observed roosting as high as 10 m above the ground.

Diet

Forages by scratching in leaf litter to find roots, seeds, fallen berries, and probably insects.

Did you know?

The species appears to have two nesting seasons corresponding to the wettest part of the year, March to May and October to December, with nests constructed as domed globes of leaves and twigs featuring a short tunnel entrance.