Quail
Encyclopedia
Quail is a collective name for several genera
of mid-sized bird
s generally considered in the order Galliformes
. Old World quail
are found in the family Phasianidae
, while New World quail
are found in the family Odontophoridae. The buttonquail
are not quail at all, are named more for their appearance superficially resembling quail, and are members of the Turnicidae family, more closely related to the Charadriiformes
. The King Quail, a member of the Old World quail, is often sold in the pet trade and is commonly referred to there as a "button quail". Many of the common larger species are farm raised for table food
or egg consumption
, and are hunted
on game farms or in the wild, where they are sometimes artificially stocked to supplement the wild population, or extend into areas they are normally not found naturally.
The collective noun for a group of quail is a covey.
Old World quail
may refer to the following species of Phasianidae:
Genera
Genera is a commercial operating system and development environment for Lisp machines developed by Symbolics. It is essentially a fork of an earlier operating system originating on the MIT AI Lab's Lisp machines which Symbolics had used in common with LMI and Texas Instruments...
of mid-sized bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s generally considered in the order Galliformes
Galliformes
Galliformes are an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding domestic or game bird, containing turkey, grouse, chicken, New and Old World Quail, ptarmigan, partridge, pheasant, and the Cracidae. Common names are gamefowl or gamebirds, landfowl, gallinaceous birds or galliforms...
. Old World quail
Old World quail
Old World quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds in the pheasant family Phasianidae. New World quail are also found in the Galliformes, but are not in the same family . Buttonquails are not closely related at all, but are named for their similar appearance...
are found in the family Phasianidae
Phasianidae
The Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of the pheasants and partridges, including the junglefowl , Old World Quail, francolins, monals and peafowl. The family is a large one, and is occasionally broken up into two subfamilies, the Phasianinae, and the Perdicinae...
, while New World quail
New World quail
The New World quails or Odontophorids are small birds only distantly related to the Old World Quails, but named for their similar appearance and habits. The American species are in their own family Odontophoridae, whereas Old World Quail are in the pheasant family Phasianidae...
are found in the family Odontophoridae. The buttonquail
Buttonquail
Buttonquail or hemipodes are members of a small family of birds, Turnicidae, which resemble, but are unrelated to, the quails of Phasianidae. They inhabit warm grasslands in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia...
are not quail at all, are named more for their appearance superficially resembling quail, and are members of the Turnicidae family, more closely related to the Charadriiformes
Charadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. The King Quail, a member of the Old World quail, is often sold in the pet trade and is commonly referred to there as a "button quail". Many of the common larger species are farm raised for table food
Quails in cookery
Both Old World and New World quail include edible game species. The Common Quail was previously much favoured in French cooking, but quail for the table are now more likely to be domesticated Japanese Quail. The Common Quail is also part of Maltese cuisine and Portuguese cuisine, as well as in...
or egg consumption
Quail eggs
Quail eggs are considered a delicacy in many countries, including western Europe and North America. In Japanese cuisine, they are sometimes used raw or cooked as tamago in sushi and often found in bento lunches....
, and are hunted
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
on game farms or in the wild, where they are sometimes artificially stocked to supplement the wild population, or extend into areas they are normally not found naturally.
The collective noun for a group of quail is a covey.
Taxonomy
New World quail may refer to the following species of Odontophoridae:- Genus Oreortyx
- Mountain QuailMountain QuailThe Mountain Quail, , is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family. This species is the only one in the genus Oreortyx, which is sometimes included in Callipepla...
, Oreortyx pictus
- Mountain Quail
- Genus CallipeplaCallipeplaCallipepla is a genus of birds in the New World quail family, Odontophoridae.-Species:* Callipepla californica – California Quail* Callipepla douglasii – Elegant Quail...
- Scaled QuailScaled QuailThe Scaled Quail , also commonly called Blue Quail or cottontop, is a species of the New World quail family. It is a bluish gray bird found in the arid regions of the Southwestern United States to Central Mexico...
, (commonly called Blue Quail) Callipepla squamata - Elegant QuailElegant QuailThe Elegant Quail is a species of New World Quail endemic to Pacific-slope thornforest of northwestern Mexico, from southern Sonora to Nayarit.-References:* BirdLife International, 2011. . Accessed on July 16, 2011....
, Callipepla douglasii - California QuailCalifornia QuailThe California Quail, Callipepla californica, also known as the California Valley Quail or Valley Quail, is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family...
, Callipepla californica - Gambel's QuailGambel's QuailThe Gambel's Quail, Callipepla gambelii, is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family. It inhabits the desert regions of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Texas, and Sonora; also New Mexico-border Chihuahua and the Colorado River region of Baja California...
, Callipepla gambelii
- Scaled Quail
- Genus Philortyx
- Banded QuailBanded QuailThe Banded Quail is a species of bird in the Odontophoridae family. It is found only in Mexico.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.-References:*...
, Philortyx fasciatus
- Banded Quail
- Genus ColinusColinusColinus is a genus of birds in the New World quail family, Odontophoridae. Members of the genus are commonly known as bobwhites.-Species:* Colinus cristatus – Crested Bobwhite...
- Northern BobwhiteBobwhite QuailThe Northern Bobwhite, Virginia Quail or Bobwhite Quail is a ground-dwelling bird native to the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean...
, Colinus virginianus - Black-throated BobwhiteBlack-throated BobwhiteThe Yucatan Bobwhite or Black-throated Bobwhite is a species of bird in the Odontophoridae family.It is found in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua....
, Colinus nigrogularis - Spot-bellied BobwhiteSpot-bellied BobwhiteThe Spot-bellied Bobwhite, Colinus leucopogon, is a ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family. It is sometimes considered to be conspecific with the Crested Bobwhite, Colinus cristatus...
, Colinus leucopogon - Crested BobwhiteCrested BobwhiteThe Crested Bobwhite is a species of bird in the Odontophoridae family.It is found in northern South America, extending through Panama to just reach Costa Rica...
, Colinus cristatus
- Northern Bobwhite
- Genus Odontophorus
- Marbled Wood Quail, Odontophorus gujanensis
- Spot-winged Wood Quail, Odontophorus capueira
- Black-eared Wood Quail, Odontophorus melanotis
- Rufous-fronted Wood Quail, Odontophorus erythrops
- Black-fronted Wood Quail, Odontophorus atrifrons
- Chestnut Wood Quail, Odontophorus hyperythrus
- Dark-backed Wood Quail, Odontophorus melanonotus
- Rufous-breasted Wood Quail, Odontophorus speciosus
- Tacarcuna Wood Quail, Odontophorus dialeucos
- Gorgeted Wood Quail, Odontophorus strophium
- Venezuelan Wood Quail, Odontophorus columbianus
- Black-breasted Wood Quail, Odontophorus leucolaemus
- Stripe-faced Wood QuailStripe-faced Wood QuailThe Stripe-faced Wood Quail, Odontophorus balliviani, is a species of New World Quail found in the Yungas of southern Peru and Bolivia. It is about 27 cm in length and weighs approximately 0.325 kg.The binomial of this bird commemorates José Ballivián....
, Odontophorus balliviani - Starred Wood Quail, Odontophorus stellatus
- Spotted Wood Quail, Odontophorus guttatus
- Genus Dactylortyx
- Singing QuailSinging QuailThe Singing Quail is a species of bird in the Odontophoridae family.It is found in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico....
, Dactylortyx thoracicus
- Singing Quail
- Genus CyrtonyxCyrtonyxCyrtonyx is a genus of bird in the Odontophoridae family.It contains the following species:* Montezuma Quail, * Ocellated Quail...
- Montezuma QuailMontezuma QuailThe Montezuma Quail is a stubby, secretive New World quail of Mexico and some nearby parts of the United States. It is also known as Mearns's Quail, the Harlequin Quail , and the Fool Quail .-Description:At about 22 cm , it is one of the shortest quails of North America, although it weighs 180 g...
, Cyrtonyx montezumae - Ocellated QuailOcellated QuailThe Ocellated Quail is a species of bird in the Odontophoridae family.It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua....
, Cyrtonyx ocellatus
- Montezuma Quail
- Genus Rhynchortyx
- Tawny-faced QuailTawny-faced QuailThe Tawny-faced Quail is a species of bird in the Odontophoridae family, and the only species in its genus Rhynchortyx.It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama...
, Rhynchortyx cinctus
- Tawny-faced Quail
Old World quail
Old World quail
Old World quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds in the pheasant family Phasianidae. New World quail are also found in the Galliformes, but are not in the same family . Buttonquails are not closely related at all, but are named for their similar appearance...
may refer to the following species of Phasianidae:
- Genus CoturnixCoturnixCoturnix is a genus of Old World quail in Phasianidae.- Species list :*Blue Quail, Coturnix adansonii*King Quail, Coturnix chinensis*Rain Quail, Coturnix coromandelica*Harlequin Quail, Coturnix delegorguei*Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix...
- Common QuailCommon QuailThe Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix, is a small bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is widespread and is found in parts of Europe, .- Description :It is a small rotund bird, essentially streaked brown with...
, Coturnix coturnix - Japanese QuailJapanese QuailThe Japanese Quail, also known as Coturnix Quail, Coturnix japonica, is a species of Old World Quail found in East Asia. They are a migratory species, breeding in Manchuria, southeastern Siberia, northern Japan, and the Korean Peninsula, and wintering in the south of Japan and southern China. They...
, Coturnix japonica - Stubble QuailStubble QuailThe Stubble Quail, Coturnix pectoralis is an Australian quail of the family Phasianidae. It has sometimes been considered conspecific with the extinct New Zealand Quail. In this case, the latter species' name would have priority and the Stubble Quail would become Coturnix novaezelandiae pectoralis...
, Coturnix pectoralis - †New Zealand QuailNew Zealand QuailThe New Zealand Quail , or koreke , has been extinct since 1875. The male and female were similar, except the female was lighter. The first scientist to describe it was Sir Joseph Banks when he visited New Zealand on James Cook's first voyage...
, Coturnix novaezelandiae (extinct) - Rain QuailRain QuailThe Rain Quail or Black-breasted Quail is a species of quail found in South Asia.-Distribution:Grassland, cropped fields, and scrubs in the Indus valley of central India, Pakistan, the Gangetic plains, and parts of peninsular continental India. Mostly seen in winter further south.-Description:The...
, Coturnix coromandelica - Harlequin QuailHarlequin QuailThe Harlequin Quail is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is found in Africa.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 10 July 2007....
, Coturnix delegorguei - †Canary Islands QuailCanary Islands QuailThe Canary Islands Quail once occurred on the islands of El Hierro, La Palma, Tenerife and Fuerteventura . It might also have inhabited Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, but there are no remains found on these islands....
, Coturnix gomerae (fossil) - Brown QuailBrown QuailThe Brown Quail , also known as Swamp Quail, is an Australasian true quail of the family Phasianidae.The Brown Quail is distributed in agricultural areas, wet grasslands, shrublands and freshwater wetlands across much of New Guinea and the Lesser Sunda Islands as well as in northern, eastern,...
, Coturnix ypsilophora - Blue QuailBlue QuailThe Blue Quail or African Blue Quail, is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.-Geographic Range:The species ranges from Sierra Leone to Ethiopia, and south to Zambia, and eastward to Kenya, and is migratory...
, Coturnix adansonii - King Quail, Coturnix chinensis
- Common Quail
- Genus Anurophasis
- Snow Mountains Quail, Anurophasis monorthonyx
- Genus PerdiculaPerdiculaPerdicula is a genus of quail.-Species list:* Jungle Bush Quail, * Rock Bush Quail, * Painted Bush Quail, * Manipur Bush Quail,...
- Jungle Bush QuailJungle Bush QuailVery different from the female, the male Jungle Bush Quail has a white moustache, heavily barred white underparts, and variegated wings. The female has a uniform, rich chestnut breast and belly. However, both the male and the female have red and white streaks on the head.The diet of the Jungle Bush...
, Perdicula asiatica - Rock Bush QuailRock Bush QuailThe Rock Bush Quail is a species of quail found in parts of peninsular India. They are very similar to and overlap in range with Perdicula asiatica. They are found in small coveys and are often detected only suddenly, when they burst out into flight en masse from under vegetation....
, Perdicula argoondah - Painted Bush QuailPainted Bush QuailThe Painted Bush Quail is a species of quail found in the hill forests of India. They move in small coveys on hillsides and are distinguished by their red bills and legs...
, Perdicula erythrorhyncha - Manipur Bush QuailManipur Bush QuailThe Manipur Bush Quail is a species of quail found in India, inhabiting damp grassland, particularly stands of tall grass, in West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and Meghalaya....
, Perdicula manipurensis
- Jungle Bush Quail
- Genus Ophrysia
- Himalayan QuailHimalayan QuailThe Himalayan Quail is a medium-sized quail belonging to the pheasant family. It was last reported in 1876 and is feared extinct. This species was known from only 2 locations in the western Himalayas in Uttarakhand, north-west India...
, Ophrysia superciliosa (critically endangered/extinct)
- Himalayan Quail