Common Buttonquail vs Painted Buttonquail

Common Buttonquail

Turnix sylvaticus

Small53 gShrubland

The common buttonquail resembles the common quail. It has streaked sandy brown upperparts, buff underparts with black flank markings, and a plain face. In flight, a whitish wingbar contrasts with the grey wing. Sexes are similar, but immature birds are more spotted below. This tiny buttonquail is notoriously difficult to see. It is a small, 15 cm (5.9 in) long drab running bird, which avoids flying.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: William Stephens · CC BY 4.0

Painted Buttonquail

Turnix varius

Medium90 gShrubland

The painted buttonquail is about 19 to 20 cm (7.5 to 7.9 in) long. It is a ground-dwelling bird and is found in grassy forests and woodlands. It feeds on insects and seeds, and the males incubate the eggs for a fortnight and then care for the young. The female is the more brightly coloured of the sexes. Her eyes are red, and her crown, face and breast are flecked with white. Her shoulders are chestnut with thin white streaking above them. The male is slightly smaller and duller in colour.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Kym Nicolson · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Common Buttonquail and Painted Buttonquail.