Bird Guide

Rain Quail vs Stubble Quail

Rain Quail (Coturnix coromandelica)

Rain Quail

Coturnix coromandelica

Medium74 gGrassland

The rain quail lacks barring on primaries. The male has a black breast-patch and distinctive head pattern of black and white. The female is difficult to separate from female common quail and Japanese quail, although the spots on the breast are more delicate. It is 6–6.5 in (15–17 cm) and weighs roughly 2.25–2.5 oz (64–71 g). The call is a metallic pair of quit- quit nots, constantly repeated mornings and evenings, and in the breeding season also during the night. It is quite unmistakably distinct from the call of the common grey quail.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Rain Quail
Recorded by Mike Prince · Call · Divar Island, North Goa, Goa, India · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Vinayak Yardi · CC BY 4.0
Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis)

Stubble Quail

Coturnix pectoralis

Medium102 gGrassland

The stubble quail is a ground dwelling bird that is characterised by its dark brown feathers with a cream coloured strip down the centre of each feather giving rise to stripes down the length of the bird. It is a plump species that is larger than other native quails. Male birds will mature at about 18.0–18.5 cm long and females are generally slightly larger. Adult males weigh around 100g and the females around 110g with all birds having a wingspan of between 25–33 cm.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Patrick_K59 · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Rain Quail and Stubble Quail.