The rock bush quail is a species of quail found in parts of peninsular India. It is a common species with a wide range and the IUCN has rated it as being of "least concern".
Region
Peninsular India
Typical Environment
Found in dry scrublands, thorn forests, open deciduous woodland edges, stony hillsides, and fallow or lightly grazed fields. It favors areas with scattered bushes and rocky outcrops that provide cover, often near sparse cultivation. It avoids dense forests and wetlands, relying on ground cover for concealment. Coveys use well-worn runways through grass and scrub to move between feeding and roosting sites.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The rock bush quail is a small, secretive quail that lives in dry scrub and thorn country across peninsular India. It typically moves in tight coveys that flush at very close range with a sudden whirring flight. Breeding is tied to the monsoon, with nests hidden on the ground under grass tussocks. Despite being easily overlooked, it remains fairly common where suitable habitat persists.
Male at Rajkot
Flock at Rajkot
Rock bush quail
Temperament
secretive and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, fast bursts
Social Behavior
Usually found in small coveys that keep to dense cover and run more than they fly. Nests are shallow ground scrapes lined with grass, well concealed under tussocks or shrubs. Breeding coincides with the monsoon; the female primarily incubates while the male often remains nearby to warn and distract predators.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include soft, whistled contact notes used to keep coveys together in cover. Alarm is a sharp, repeated chirp, and coveys may give low clucking calls when moving to roost. Overall, the species is more often heard as rustling movement than seen.
