Black-breasted Wood Quail

Overview

The black-breasted wood quail (Odontophorus leucolaemus) is a medium-sized New World quail found in Costa Rica and, historically, Panama. It is a shy species that lives in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, where it spends much of its time moving through the undergrowth.

Identification

• Medium-sized bird measuring 22–25.5 cm in length, with an average weight of 300 g for males and 286 g for females.
• Sexes are similar in appearance and cannot be visually distinguished, with males being slightly larger.
• Populations in Costa Rica may exhibit a melanistic morph, resulting in darker plumage compared to other groups.
• Shy and reluctant to flush, this quail often walks away into the undergrowth when approached rather than taking flight.

Habitat

This quail is found in subtropical or tropical moist montane forest in Costa Rica and Panama. It is currently believed to be extirpated from Panama, having not been recorded there since 1933. The species primarily inhabits forested slopes where it moves through the undergrowth.

Diet

Specific dietary information is limited, but the species likely feeds on plant matter and supplements its diet with insects. It forages in coveys of 10–15 individuals, feeding together over small areas throughout the day.

Did you know?

Unlike other wood quails in its genus, the black-breasted wood quail does not vocalise at dusk. Instead, groups engage in cooperative breeding, with multiple adults guarding nests of white eggs that eventually stain brown.