The tawny-faced quail is a species of bird in the family Odontophoridae, the New World quail. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Region
Central America and northwestern South America (Chocó bioregion)
Typical Environment
Occupies humid lowland and foothill evergreen forests, favoring dense understory, forest edges, and older second growth. It keeps near thickets, stream margins, and tangled viney areas where cover is abundant. The species also uses selectively logged forest and shady plantations adjacent to intact forest. It is patchy in occurrence and local even within suitable habitat.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A secretive ground-dwelling quail of humid tropical forests, it is far more often heard than seen. Pairs or small coveys keep to dense understory and often call at dawn and dusk with soft whistled notes. Habitat loss from deforestation is the primary threat across much of its range. Listening for its duet-like whistles along quiet forest trails is often the best way to detect it.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with an explosive flush, dropping quickly back into cover
Social Behavior
Usually encountered in pairs or small family groups that move quietly through leaf litter. Nests are shallow scrapes hidden under dense vegetation, lined with leaves. Breeding likely coincides with rainy periods; both adults may attend the brood.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives soft, whistled notes often in a brief series, frequently at dawn and dusk. Pairs may duet, producing a mellow, slightly mournful sequence that carries through the understory.
