One of the smallest quail species in the world, weighing as little as 30 grams.
NT: Endangered
Indigenous: Chinese Quail, Swamp Quail, Painted Quail, Chestnut-Bellied Quail, Blue-Breasted Quail, Dwarf Quail, Pigmy Quail, Least Quail
At a glance
FamilyPheasants, Grouse, and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityUncommon
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from October to January.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Richard E. Webster
Range map
Range map
348visible hotspots
2656visible records
5states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Generally uncommon and often glimpsed only briefly as it flushes from almost underfoot. Male gorgeously attired, with a blue head and breast, deep cinnamon belly, and neat black-and-white throat markings. Female brown with a paler belly and a plain face; compare to the strong white brow of the larger Japanese Quail.
Behavior
Males give a descending, plaintive whistle, “tew-tew”, and a raspy, snoring call.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
Queensland
Victoria
South Australia
Northern Territory
Western Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Commonly confused with
Brown QuailSynoicus ypsilophorusDistinctive 2-note whistle often reveals its presence.→Stubble QuailCoturnix pectoralisNote bold pale eyebrow. Male has orange throat contrasting with blackish breast. Typically found in drier grasslands.→Red JunglefowlGallus gallusIn its introduced range and some areas of its native range it has interbred widely with feral and domestic chickens, producing intermediate hybrids. Many of these birds cannot be distinguished from genuine wild-type birds.→