The painted bush quail is a species of quail found in the hill forests of India. They move in small coveys on hillsides and are distinguished by their red bills and legs. They have a liquid alarm call and small groups will run in single file along paths before taking flight when flushed.
Region
South Asia (Peninsular India)
Typical Environment
Occurs in hill and lower montane habitats of peninsular India, especially along the Western Ghats and in parts of the Eastern Ghats. Prefers dense understory in moist and semi-evergreen forests, shola–grassland mosaics, bamboo thickets, and scrubby hillsides. It also uses edges of tea and coffee estates where cover is retained. Typically keeps close to ground cover and uses pathways and open patches for quick dashes between thickets.
Altitude Range
300–2000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A shy, ground-dwelling quail of India’s hill forests, it moves in tight coveys that often run single file along paths before flushing with a whir of wings. Its bright red bill and legs are distinctive among bush-quails. When alarmed it gives a clear, liquid call and usually seeks cover rather than sustained flight.
Female (left) and male.
Head of male
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, explosive flush
Social Behavior
Usually found in small coveys that keep tight formation while foraging and running along trails. Nests are simple scrapes concealed in dense cover, with a clutch of several eggs. Pairs form within coveys during the breeding season, and adults lead chicks through cover soon after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include a clear, liquid alarm call and soft whistled notes exchanged within a covey. Calls are most frequent at dawn and dusk and carry through dense undergrowth.
