Blue-breasted Quail

1. Bird Name
The bird of focus in this article is the Blue-breasted Quail, scientifically known as Coturnix chinensis.

2. Appearance
The Blue-breasted Quail is petite and round-bodied, with subtle yet captivating coloration. The males are exceptionally striking with black throats ringed with white, and warm chestnut upperparts. Their noteworthy feature is their blue-grey breast, which gives them their name. Females do not share the blue breast of the males; instead, they exhibit a warm brown coloration with significant streaks distributed across their bodies. Both sexes bear short beaks and burgundy-hued eyes.

3. Size
Blue-breasted Quails range between 12 to 14 cm (4.7 to 5.5 inches) in length. Although their wingspan is not particularly long due to their terrestrial preference, it ranges roughly from 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 inches). They have a weight range of 28 to 40 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
Widely distributed across East Asia and Australia, the Blue-breasted Quail thrives in grasslands and crop fields, often near water. They’re also significantly present in Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia, enjoying the cover of high grasses and the bounty of their preferred habitats.

5. Interesting Facts
Blue-breasted Quails demonstrate fascinating adaptations to terrestrial life. They are ardent runners, often choosing to sprint through the undergrowth rather than fly when startled. They are also known to be good swimmers. As for cultural significance, in Indonesia, these birds are popular as fighting animals due to their aggressive nature when confronting males of the same species.

6. Diet
The Blue-breasted Quail’s diet mainly consists of seeds, invertebrates, and small insects. They also have a penchant for green leafy vegetation, catering to a rather omnivorous diet.

7. Behavior & Sounds
The quails are known to be shy, skulking birds, preferring to stay hidden in dense vegetation. Their nests are constructed on the ground. Males exhibit a distinct cry during the mating season; a short, shrill whistling note, which is often repeated multiple times.

8. Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categorized the Blue-breasted Quail as a species of ‘Least Concern’. The bird is plentiful across its broad range and there’s no evidence of significant population decline.

9. Lifespan
The lifespan of Blue-breasted Quails slightly varies according to their habitat. In the wild, they can live up to 3-5 years, whereas in captivity, with optimal care, they can live up to about 5-7 years.

10. Additional Notes
This bird is known in Indonesia as the ‘Burung Puyuh’, indicating their local significance and interaction with human societies. Blue-breasted Quails play an essential role in the ecosystem by consuming a significant amount of insects and seeds, directly influencing plant pollination and pest control. Despite their shy nature, they have a reputation for adding an exotic sense of allure to bird collections globally, thriving in aviaries where they have ample cover to hide.