Starred Wood Quail

Overview

The starred wood quail (Odontophorus stellatus) is a species of bird in the family Odontophoridae, commonly known as New World quail. It is native to subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests in South America and is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Length between 24 and 28 cm, with males slightly larger than females.
• Pronounced crest on the back of the head, reddish-brown in males and brownish-black in females.
• Upper parts are olive-brown with darker vermiculations, black markings on flight feathers, and pale speckling on wing coverts; underparts are reddish-brown with white speckling on the breast sides.
• Blackish bill and brown irises, with distinctive two-syllable call sounding like 'korkorralo' repeated at dusk.

Habitat

Found in eastern Ecuador, much of Peru, western Brazil, and northern Bolivia, typically inhabiting moist lowland forests below 1,050 m elevation. It occupies terre firme forests, flooding areas, and transitional zones, with lower altitudes in Ecuador.

Diet

Forages through leaf litter for invertebrates and fruits. These birds form coveys of five to eight individuals that cross open ground in single file while staying close to dense cover.

Did you know?

This retiring and elusive bird discloses its presence through a distinctive two-syllable call, 'korkorralo', which it utters repeatedly at dusk.