Summary
The dark-backed wood quail (Odontophorus melanonotus) is a bird species in the family Odontophoridae, which is the New World quail. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.[2]
| Dark-backed wood quail | |
|---|---|
| |
| In Mindo, Ecuador | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Odontophoridae |
| Genus: | Odontophorus |
| Species: | O. melanonotus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Odontophorus melanonotus Gould, 1861
| |
| |
Taxonomy and systematics edit
The dark-backed wood quail is one of 15 species in the genus Odontophorus. Within the genus, it is part of the chestnut wood quail species complex. At various times it has been proposed or considered as conspecific with chestnut wood quail (O. hyperythrus), rufous-fronted wood quail (O. erythrops), and rufous-breasted wood quail (O. speciosus).[3][4]
The generic name Odontophorus is from the Greek odontophoros, meaning tooth-bearing. The specific epithet melanonotus is from the Greek melas, meaning black, and notus, meaning backed.[5]
Description edit
The dark-backed wood quail is 23 to 28 cm (9.1 to 11.0 in) long. Both males and females weigh about 322 g (11.4 oz). Adults of both sexes are overall brownish black with fine chestnut vermiculation. The throat and breast are reddish chestnut. The juvenile is similarly colored but duller overall.[4]
Distribution and habitat edit
The dark-backed wood quail is found in the Andes from southern Colombia's Nariño Department south to Cotopaxi Province in Ecuador. It inhabits primary and secondary tropical forest in the fairly narrow altitudinal band between 1,100 and 2,200 m (3,600 and 7,200 ft). Though primarily terrestrial, it roosts above ground in trees.[4]
Behavior edit
Feeding edit
The dark-backed wood quail forages in groups of up to 10 birds seeking terrestrial invertebrates and fruit.[4]
Breeding edit
Almost nothing is known about the dark-backed wood quail's breeding phenology. Observations of recently hatched chicks and dependent young in many different months indicate a long breeding season or possibly two of them.[4]
Vocalization edit
The dark-backed wood quail's advertising song is a duet, "a fast rollicking 'koreewow-koreewow-koreewow...'" and calls include "soft whistles and mellow rolling notes."[4]
Status edit
The IUCN has assessed the dark-backed wood quail as vulnerable. "This species has a small and fragmented range, with recent records from few sites. Available habitat, and presumably the population, is declining."[1]
References edit
- ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Dark-backed Wood-quail Odontophorus melanonotus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ a b Gill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P. (July 2021). "IOC World Bird List (v 11.2)". Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ Madge, Steve; Phil, MacGowan (2010). Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse: Including buttonquails, sandgrouse, and allies. London, United Kingdom: Christopher Helm. p. 401. ISBN 978-1-4081-3565-5.
- ^ a b c d e f Carroll, J. P., G. M. Kirwan, and P. F. D. Boesman (2020). Dark-backed Wood-Quail (Odontophorus melanonotus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.dbwqua1.01 retrieved September 12, 2021
- ^ Jobling, James A. (2010). Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. Christopher Helm. pp. 247, 280. ISBN 978-1-4081-3326-2.
External links edit
- BirdLife International Species Factsheet.