Tawny-faced Quail

Overview

The tawny-faced quail (Rhynchortyx cinctus) is a species of bird in the family Odontophoridae, commonly known as the New World quail. It is the only member of the genus Rhynchortyx and is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

Identification

• Length of 17 to 20 cm (6.7 to 7.9 in) with a weight around 150–165 g.
• Adult males display a reddish face with a black eye-streak, a dark brown crown, and gray to brown upperparts with black streaks.
• Undersides feature a gray throat and upper breast, transitioning to tawny buff on the belly with some white between the legs.
• Song consists of a series of pure monotonous whistles followed by whistles at lower or higher pitches, resembling the calls of tinamous or doves.

Habitat

The species inhabits lowland tropical forest up to an elevation of approximately 1,450 m (4,760 ft). It has a discontinuous range across Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Although primarily terrestrial, the bird roosts in trees and bushes near the ground.

Diet

The tawny-faced quail forages by pecking for food. Its diet includes seeds, worms, and insects.

Did you know?

The species is often vocal at dusk and continues to sing while roosting at night. Members of a covey maintain contact using soft peeping calls.