Details
Coturnix japonica
The Japanese quail is a small ground bird of East Asian grassland and farmland. Diurnal birds move through cover in loose groups.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses grassland, fields, damp meadows, and riverine vegetation. Low cover for hiding and open ground for feeding are both important.
Wingspan is about 32-35 cm and weight about 90-130 g. A rounded body, short tail, and brown streaking blend well with dry grass.
Active by day, it walks through grass while feeding. When threatened, it crouches or flushes in a short, direct flight.
It is omnivorous, eating seeds, shoots, insects, and other small foods. It pecks rapidly over the ground.
Nests are shallow scrapes hidden in ground vegetation. Chicks are precocial and soon follow the parent after hatching.
Its status is listed as Near Threatened. Changes in grassland and farmland habitats can affect local populations.
