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Brown QuailAlternative names: "Swamp Quail*", "Partridge Quail" Size: 17-20 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Brown Quails live in an almost semi-circular range on the edge of the Australian continent, from about the Broome area in WA across the tropical north, into the eastern half of QLD and NSW, plus all of VIC. There is also a population in the south-western corner of WA.
They are often found in tall grass in open country, but also in open woodlands.
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Sightings |
After occasionally spotting Brown Quails (race "australis") near roadsides, in open grassland, we have also seen them at our former neighbour's place, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW. They liked to forage around the edge of a billabong there, where their camouflage is almost perfect.
Seen throughout November/December 2006 20 km east of Narrabri. Since then seen regularly, although infrequently. At times they are rarely visible, but their calls and some sightings, even on the lawn when it has grown high, indicate that they are present permanently. Usually, groups of up to 6 birds were spotted. After the neighbouring paddock had been slashed, they were gone for several months, until the grass grew tall again. Heard and seen again during the 2009/2010 breeding season and subsequent years.
Also spotted north of Narrabri in November 2006 and in various other locations along the Great Dividing Range in 2010.
Brown Quails were first spotted by us on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range in a mangrove swamp at Urunga Heads, NSW, in January 2011. Later also seen further south, e.g. in the Munmorah State Conservation Area and in the estuary of the Manning River near Old Bar, NSW.
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Photos |
Slightly unsharp frontal view of a Brown Quail
Lateral view of a Brown Quail
Lateral view of a Brown Quail on the move
Brown Quail caught out on a dirt road, ducking for cover
3 of a total of 6 Brown Quails seen foraging in the ditch next
to a country road
Covey of about 10 Brown Quails on the edge of our former
neighbour's billabong
Closer view of the plumage on the backs of four Brown Quails
At the centre of this shot one can see a male with rufous
colours
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Breeding information |
| Breeding season: Sep - Apr | Eggs: 7 - 10 | Incubation period: 14 days | Fledging age: N/A |
The breeding season can vary, depending on local rainfall. Brown Quails can in principle breed all year round. Males and females both incubate.
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Nest |
| Type: Scrape | Material: Grass lining | Height above ground: N/A |
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Eggs |
| Size: 28 x 22 mm | Colour: Creamy with dark-brown speckles | Shape: Tapered oval |
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Communal | Mobility: Locally vagrant | Elementary unit: Family clan |
