Japanese Quail
Coturnix japonica
The Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) is a rare partridges, pheasants, grouse, and alli found in 23 countries, weighing about 95 g. The Japanese quail, also known as the coturnix quail, is a species of Old World quail found in East Asia.
About the Japanese Quail
The Japanese quail, also known as the coturnix quail, is a species of Old World quail found in East Asia. First considered a subspecies of the common quail, it is now considered as a separate species. The Japanese quail has played an active role in the lives of humanity since the 12th century, and continues to play major roles in industry and scientific research. Where it is found, the species is abundant across most of its range. Currently, there are a few true breeding mutations of the Japanese quail. The varieties currently found in the United States include Pharaoh, Italian, Manchurian, Tibetan, Rosetta, along with the following mutations: sex-linked brown, fee, roux, silver,…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The morphology of the Japanese quail differs depending on its stage in life. As chicks, both male and female individuals exhibit the same kind of plumage and coloring. Their heads are tawny in color, with small black patches littering the area above the beak. The wings and the back of the chick are a pale brown, the back also having four brown stripes running along its length. A pale yellow-brown stripe surrounded by smaller black stripes runs down the top of the head. The plumage of the Japanese quail is sexually dimorphic, allowing for differing sexes to be distinguished from one another. Voice: Some 28 different call types have been distinguished based on the circumstances in which they are used and the various behaviors that are exhibited during the call. The call types of the Japanese quail differ between male and female, the same stimulus resulting in differing vocalizations.
What the Japanese Quail sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Sweden, Norway, India, Thailand, Spain, Australia, Canada, North Korea, Belgium, Singapore, New Zealand.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Japanese Quail?
- The morphology of the Japanese quail differs depending on its stage in life. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Japanese Quail?
- The Japanese Quail is a medium sized bird weighing about 95 g.
- Where can you see a Japanese Quail?
- The Japanese Quail occurs in 23 countries, including China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Russia and Hong Kong SAR China.
- What does a Japanese Quail sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Japanese Quail on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Japanese Quail?
- The Japanese Quail is most easily confused with the Harlequin Quail, the Rain Quail and the Stubble Quail.
- Is the Japanese Quail endangered?
- The Japanese Quail is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Japanese Quail for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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