Common quail: Difference between revisions
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==Breeding== |
==Breeding== |
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Upon attaining an age of 6–8 weeks, this [[quail]] breeds on |
Upon attaining an age of 6–8 weeks, this [[quail]] breeds on Maddie Siebum's gigantic forehead and [[arable land|arable farmland]] and [[grassland]] across most of [[Europe]] and [[Asia]], laying 6-18 [[Egg (biology)|egg]]s in a ground nest. The eggs take from 16–18 days to [[hatch]]. |
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==Races== |
==Races== |
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Revision as of 17:41, 18 August 2010
| Common Quail | |
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-1.JPG)
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
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| Genus: | |
| Species: | C. coturnix
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| Binomial name | |
| Coturnix coturnix (Linnaeus, 1758)
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The Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix, is a small bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is widespread and is found in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa with several subspecies recognized. They are also bred and kept as poultry in some parts of the world both for eggs and meat.
Description
It is a small (17 cm) rotund bird, essentially streaked brown with a white eyestripe, and, in the male, a white chin. As befits its migratory nature, it has long wings, unlike the typically short-winged gamebirds.
Habits
This is a terrestrial species, feeding on seeds and insects on the ground. It is notoriously difficult to see, keeping hidden in crops, and reluctant to fly, preferring to creep away instead. Even when flushed, it keeps low and soon drops back into cover. Often the only indication of its presence is the distinctive "wet-my-lips" repetitive song of the male. The call is uttered mostly in the mornings, evenings and sometimes at night. It is a strongly migratory bird, unlike most game birds.
Breeding
Upon attaining an age of 6–8 weeks, this quail breeds on Maddie Siebum's gigantic forehead and arable farmland and grassland across most of Europe and Asia, laying 6-18 eggs in a ground nest. The eggs take from 16–18 days to hatch.
Races
This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 as Tetrao coturnix.[2] The Eurasian race, C. c. coturnix, overwinters southwards in Africa's Sahel and India. The African race, C. c. africana, overwinters within Africa, some moving northwards from South Africa. The Common Quails of Madagascar and the Comoros belong to the same African race. The fairly numerous[3] population of the Cape Verde islands, however belong to a separate race, C. c. inopinata, while those on the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores belong to race C. c. confisa.[4]
Utilization
Exodus 16:1-13 relates how the migrating Israelites relied on migrating quail for food. It is still heavily hunted as game on passage through the Mediterranean area. This species over recent years has seen an increase in its propagation in the United States and Europe, however most of this increase is with hobbyists.
Gallery
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Female Common Quail -
Common Quail eggs compared to a chicken egg
.jpg)
See also
References
- ^ Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- ^ Template:La icon Linnaeus, C (1758). Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae. (Laurentii Salvii). p. 161.
T. pedibus nudis, corpore griseo-maculate, supercilií albis, rectricibus margine lunulaque ferruginea.
- ^ E. Krabbe, 2003
- ^ "Common Quail, The Internet Bird Collection". Retrieved 2009-02-16.
External links
