Quail, Buttonquail and Plains-wanderer in Australia and New Zealand

Although not closely related, quail, buttonquail and the Plains-wanderer have much in common. Quail, Buttonquail and Plains-wanderer in Australia and New Zealand examines 14 species of these small, secretive ground-dwelling birds, including Old World and New World quail, the endangered Buff-breasted Buttonquail, the elusive Plains-wanderer and the extinct New Zealand Quail. Joseph Forshaw presents a comprehensive review of recent studies for these often hard to observe birds. Detailed species descriptions include key features, habitat, status, diet and breeding, along with information on eggs, calls, and distribution. Each species is fully illustrated with exquisite color identification plates by renowned wildlife artist Frank Knight. This is an essential reference for anyone fascinated by these elusive birds. Features: A comprehensive account of six species of quail, seven species of buttonquail and the quail-like Plains-wanderer in Australia and New Zealand. Includes the extinct New Zealand Quail. Features detailed species descriptions, including habitats, breeding, subspecies, distribution, historical notes, eggs, diet and status. All species are illustrated in fine color plates by Frank Knight, one of Australia’s leading wildlife artists. Cover Half Title Dedication Title Page Copyright Foreword Contents Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Order Galliformes Family Odontophoridae Subfamily Odontophorinae Genus Callipepla Wagler California Quail C. californica (Shaw) Genus Colinus Goldfuss Northern Bobwhite C. virginianus (Linnaeus) Family Phasianidae Subfamily Phasianinae Tribe Coturnicini Genus Coturnix Bonnaterre Stubble Quail C. pectoralis Gould New Zealand Quail C. novaezelandiae Quoy & Gaimard (EXTINCT) Genus Synoicus Gould Subgenus Synoicus Gould Brown Quail S. ypsilophorus (Bosc) Subgenus Excalfactoria Bonaparte King Quail S. chinensis (Linnaeus) Order Charadriiformes Family Turnicidae Genus Turnix Bonnaterre Subgenus Turnix Bonnaterre Red-backed Buttonquail T. maculosus (Temminck) Subgenus Austroturnix Mathews Black-breasted Buttonquail T. melanogaster (Gould) Painted Buttonquail T. varius (Latham) Chestnut-backed Buttonquail T. castanotus (Gould) Buff-breasted Buttonquail T. olivii Robinson Red-chested Buttonquail T. pyrrhothorax (Gould) Little Buttonquail T. velox (Gould) Family Pedionomidae Genus Pedionomus Gould Plains-wanderer P. torquatus Gould Map Gazetteer References Cited Index of Common Names Index of Scientific Names Although not closely related, quail, buttonquail and the Plains-wanderer have much in common. Quail, Buttonquail and Plains-wanderer in Australia and New Zealand examines 14 species of these small, secretive ground-dwelling birds, including Old World and New World quail, the endangered Buff-breasted Buttonquail, the elusive Plains-wanderer and the extinct New Zealand Quail. Joseph Forshaw presents a comprehensive review of recent studies for these often hard to observe birds. Detailed species descriptions include key features, habitat, status, diet and breeding, along with information on eggs, calls and distribution. Each species is fully illustrated with exquisite colour identification plates by renowned wildlife artist Frank Knight. This is an essential reference for anyone fascinated by these elusive birds Although not closely related, quail, buttonquail and the Plains-wanderer have much in common. This book examines 14 species of these small, secretive ground-dwelling birds, including Old World and New World quail, the endangered Buff-breasted Buttonquail, the elusive Plains-wanderer and the extinct New Zealand Quail.