Black-rumped buttonquail

Overview

Wikipedia

The black-rumped buttonquail is a small species of bird in the buttonquail family.

Distribution

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Typical Environment

Patchily distributed across dry savannas, open grasslands, lightly wooded areas, and fallow or stubble fields. It favors sites with a mosaic of short to medium-height grasses and patches of bare ground for foraging. Often occurs along field margins and in lightly grazed pastures, where cover allows it to remain concealed. Dense cover is important for roosting and nesting, typically on or near the ground under grass tussocks.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size12–15 cm

Wing Span22–28 cm

Male Weight0.035 kg

Female Weight0.045 kg

Life Expectancy4 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The black-rumped buttonquail is a small, elusive ground bird that prefers to run rather than fly, flushing only in short, whirring bursts. Females are larger and more brightly marked than males and take the lead in courtship; males incubate the eggs and rear the chicks. The species’ namesake dark rump is often noticeable when it takes flight.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

secretive and wary

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats, low fast bursts before dropping back into cover

Social Behavior

Often seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in small family groups outside the breeding season. Females initiate courtship and may be polyandrous; males build simple ground nests, incubate, and care for the young. Nests are shallow scrapes hidden under grass clumps.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations are low, booming hoots and soft coos, often given by females during display. Calls carry through grass and can be heard at dawn and dusk more than the bird is seen.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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