Facts, Information, Scientific Name of King Quail
Let us learn about the Bird that is feisty as they hunt during their flight but also are romantic singers.
My body is colourful and my shape is almost round
I run, walk, feed and I totally reside on the ground.
Name– King Quail
Scientific Name– Synoicus chinensis
Size– 5.5 inches.
Habitat and Distribution –
A small round-shaped but colourful ground-dwelling bird is seen walking, running, and pecking (tapping its beak on the ground) in Habitats like Shrubland, Grasslands, Farmlands and even in Swamps. These colourful short and stout birds are called ‘King Quail’ that reside in the grounds of South East Asia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, etc.
What is the appearance of King Quail?
King Quail are round-shaped birds with Blue breasts and short tails. There are white patches near the beak and throat. The colours on the plumage are Blue, brown, silver, maroon, dark brown and black. King Quails are good runners. Orange-coloured feet help them run and hide quickly if they feel threatened. As King Quails are ground-dwelling birds they still fly only over short distances.
Adaptation of King Quails as a ground-dwelling Bird –
King Quails appear on the ground by walking and continuously pecking on and scraping the ground to obtain Food. They scrape the ground to find Grass, and insects to feed on and peck (striking the ground using their beak) to feed upon the seeds or bugs present in the ground. King Quails form ‘Covey’ a group of 10-30 individuals that hunt and roost (rest) together. One can find King Quails feeding in the early morning or the mid to late afternoon.
Reproduction –
King Quails becomes sexually mature at the age of 3 months. There is a fight between Males to attain the attention of females. The winner male breed with a Female. Males select the nest site on the grassland, and swamp and collect the nest material as females construct the nest. The nest is located on the ground. Females scrape the ground to form depression and border it with Needle grass, Sedges, etc. The female lays 5-13 eggs and incubates for 16 days. After hatching, the chicks learn the basic activities for survival from their mother.
Lifespan and Threats-
King Quail is an Omnivore who lives for 2-3 years in the wild. It feeds on grasses as well as insects present on the ground, which controls the overgrowth of grasslands. Although, a total habitat loss can be a threat to King Quails for their survival.
Also See – Peregrine Falcon