Highly nomadic, irrupting in large numbers after heavy rain transforms the arid landscape.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Grey Quail, Pectoral Quail
At a glance
FamilyPheasants, Grouse, and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatTypically found in drier grasslands.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from November to January.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
4537visible hotspots
30916visible records
6states
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
Note bold pale eyebrow. Male has orange throat contrasting with blackish breast. Typically found in drier grasslands.
Behavior
As a flushed bird descends to land, it often slows down in flight before dropping into cover; look carefully for a pale patch on the leading-edge of the wing as it drops.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
Queensland
South Australia
Western Australia
Victoria
Northern Territory
Tasmania
Australian Capital Territory
Commonly confused with
Brown QuailSynoicus ypsilophorusDistinctive 2-note whistle often reveals its presence.→Blue-breasted QuailSynoicus chinensisGenerally 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.→