New World Quails (Odontophoridae)

(Odontophoridae)

Class: Aves

Order: Galliformes

Suborder: Phasiani

Family: Odontophoridae

Thumbnail description
Plump, medium-sized birds with short, powerful wings and strong running and scratching legs and feet; all have a characteristic "toothed" bill and lack tarsal spurs in all species

Size
7–15 in (17–37 cm); 4–16 oz (125–465 g)

Number of genera, species
9 genera; 32 species

Habitat
Forest, woodlands, savanna, grasslands, and agricultural

Conservation status
Critically Endangered: 1 species; Vulnerable: 4 species; Near Threatened: 3 species

Distribution
Southern Canada, eastern United States, west coast and southwestern United States, much of Mexico and Central America, northern South America through the Amazon basin and Andes south to Bolivia, and east coast of Brazil and Uruguay; North American species introduced widely to Argentina, Chile, parts of Europe, and New Zealand

Evolution and systematics

There have been various groupings of the New World quail based on morphological characteristics, generally combining them with the pheasants as a subfamily within Phasianidae. However, DNA evidence suggests that family status is warranted and that the New World quail are not particularly closely related to the pheasants or Old World quail. Earliest fossils of quail-like birds have been found in Saskatchewan, Canada dating back 37 million years. Evidence appears to be pointing toward a divergence of the New World quail in South America 35–63 million years ago.

Within Odontophoridae there are 32 recognized species, although this number is subject to change as the lesser studied Latin American species are more thoroughly researched. There are nine genera including four (Oreortyx, Philortyx, Dactylortyx, and Rhynchortyx) containing only one species each. The remaining genera, Dendrortyx, Callipepla, Colinus, Cyrtonyx, and Odontophorus have three, four, four, two, and 15 species, respectively. Even taxonomy within these genera has varied especially in the Callipepla and Colinus. In the past, Callipepla has been split into two genera, Callipepla and Lophortyx, but it is now generally agreed that these species represent only a single genus. Among the better studied species, there is still confusion regarding taxonomy. The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginanus) may represent a super-species that can be split into several species. There is some suggestion that the masked bobwhite (C.v. ridgwayi) should be considered a distinct species. The Odontophorus wood-quails, which contains the largest number of species, are made up of several complexes of species. For example, the rusty-breasted complex and the black-throated complex are both found in the northern Andes. These nine species may be grouped or split in the future as more research is completed.

Physical characteristics

The New World quail are smallish Galliformes and, like most members of the order, have plump bodies and short wings.

Odontorphoridae are much less variable in size compared to the other families of Galliformes ranging from the smallest bobwhites (Colinus spp.), barred quail (Philortyx fasciatus), and tawny-faced quail (Rhynchortyx cinctus)—reported to be as little as 7 in (17 cm) in length and 4 oz (125 g)—to the long-tailed wood-partridge (Dendrotyx macroura) which may be 16 in (37 cm) in length and weigh 16 oz (454 g). Plumage tends to be more subtle than many of the other Galliformes. Also, sexual dimorphism which tends to be dramatic in the Phasianidae is much less distinct. Often there are slight size and plumage coloration differences between males and females. Some species appear to have no distinct external differences between males and females. A number of species have distinct crests ranging from small tufts to very long plumes. Many species have distinct, often red, fleshy rings around the eyes.

The serrated edge of the bill is a distinct characteristic of this family. None of the New World quail have tarsal spurs, unlike many of their Old World counterparts. In some species the legs and feet are very thick and strong for digging. All others still have strong legs and feet for running and scratching.

Distribution

Outside of human introductions, the New World quail are restricted to North, Central, and South America. The greatest number of genera and species are found in the vicinity of southern Mexico and Guatemala with the number of species decreasing outwards north and south. The genus Odontophorus is found mainly in southern Central America and northern South America. Colinus is distributed from eastern United States and Canada through Central America to Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas. Callipepla is restricted to western United States and Mexico. Oreortyx is restricted to western United States and just a small part of Mexico. Dendrortyx is restricted to Mexico and the vicinity of Honduras and Guatemala. Philortyx is restricted to Mexico. Cyrtonyx is found in southwestern United States, and Mexico, through to western Guatemala. Dactylortyx is found in southern Mexico through Honduras. Rhynchortyx is found along the eastern coast of Honduras to Panama where it is then found on the west coast down to Ecuador.

The northern bobwhite and California quail (Callipepla californica) have been widely introduced by humans. For the bob-white this includes established populations in the northwestern United States and British Columbia, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Hawaii, New Zealand, Italy, and Germany. The California quail has been introduced to Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, and Hawaii.

Habitat

The New World quail are ground birds inhabiting a wide range of tropical, subtropical, and temperate ecosystems. The bobwhites inhabit grassland, savannas, rangeland, and agricultural lands, but are also considered woodland edge species. The Callipepla species are mainly scrub to desert inhabitants. The two Cyrtonyx species are found in open pine or oak woodlands, but also inhabit scrub. The three Dendrortyx species inhabit montane and cloud forests. Oreortyx is found in mixed forest, forest edge, and chaparral. Philortyx inhabits xeric scrub and farmland. The wood-quails (Odontophorus) are found in a variety of tropical, subtropical, and montane forests. Rhynchortyx

is restricted to lowland tropical forest. Finally, Dactylortyx is found in a variety of montane forests, but some populations are found in lowland scrub and woodland edge.

Behavior

The most notable behavior of the New World quail is the covey, which has been reported in almost all species. It is interesting to note that these were formerly thought of as family groups, but now covey membership is thought to be much more complex. In some of the Odontophorus wood-quails there is some suggestion that coveys are family groups including adults pairs and helpers from previous clutches. Most species are diurnal and spend most of their time on the ground. Tree roosting has been observed in a number of the forest species. None of the New World quail are true migrants, although some appear to be altitudal migrants in mountainous regions.

Although the vocal repertoire of the New World quail is rather limited, most use a variety of calls and whistles to communicate. The bobwhites probably have the largest number of calls with at least 19 distinct calls. The Dendrortyx wood-partridges will give loud hooting calls; whereas the wood-quails exhibit loud guttural choruses.

Feeding ecology and diet

Most of the New World quail are gleaners and scratchers for seeds. Most eat a variety of seeds including those from grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees. Many species will move into agricultural lands and eat waste grain seeds. Commonly reported crops eaten by various species include corn, wheat, sorghum, peanuts, and black beans. Some of the tropical forest wood-quails have been observed digging for fleshy roots. The two species of Cyrtonyx feed extensively on tubers and bulbs, especially the tubers of wood sorel (Oxalis spp). When studied, the diet of chicks is comprised mainly of invertebrates, and as they age they become more granivorous.

Reproductive biology

Breeding biology is not well studied in most species. Generally the New World quail were thought to be monogamous. However, data is mounting to the contrary. The northern bobwhite quail is now thought to have a flexible mating system that includes monogamy, polygyny, polyandry, and promiscuity. New genetic techniques combined with field methodologies are now being applied to this species to clarify its mating system. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some of the wood-quails may have adult pairs with helpers at nests and rearing young.

The temperate and grassland adapted species have the largest clutch sizes. For example, clutch size of the California quail ranges up to 17. Clutch size tends to decrease among the more tropical and forest adapted species. Where described, clutch sizes of three to five have been reported for some of the wood-quails. Nests are usually constructed on the ground forming a small bowl. Many species cover the nest with vegetation and form an "igloo-like" structure with an opening at one end. Incubation period is quite variable, although not well described in many species. Reports among the New World quail range from 16 to 30 days. Chicks are precocial and are capable of leaving the nest within hours of hatching. They grow rapidly and are capable of flight in less than two weeks. Mortality rates of nests and chicks is reported to be quite high in the better studied temperate and grassland species. Nest failure rates of 40–80% are quite common. Chick mortality rates of 20–50% are often reported. These species are persistent nesters with up to four nesting attempts reported in a breeding season. Although not reported for the more tropical and forest adapted species, the mortality rates of nests and chicks is probably lower.

Conservation status

Conservation status of the New World quail varies widely among species. The more temperate and grassland adapted species of Colinus and Callipepla tend to be very common. Some of these species are increasing in population and distribution as a result of human activity. Many of the forest adapted species seem to tolerate some human impact on their habitat, therefore seem to be maintaining reasonable populations. Most of the species with a conservation status are forest wood-quails in the genus Odontophorus. One species, the gorgeted wood-quail (Odontophorus strophium), found in oak forests in Colombia is considered critically endangered because almost all of its mid-elevational habitat in the Central Andes has been destroyed. The conservation status of many of the Latin American species is tentative because of lack of significant research to assess their status. For example, the bearded wood-partridge (Dendrortyx barbatus) was considered critically endangered in 1995. However, subsequent surveys of its montane forest habitat in the vicinity of Veracruz, Mexico identified a number of small and disjunct populations. This species is now considered to be Vulnerable because of continued threat to the remnant forest patches it inhabits.

Significance to humans

Like many of the Galliformes the New World quail are important to humans. Some species such as the northern bob-white quail are among the most studied birds in the world. This species is widely hunted and contributes greatly to local economies in parts of the United States and Mexico. Management for hunting in some areas has a significant impact on land use, oftentimes reducing the negative impact of grazing and farming on other wildlife. It is also widely raised in captivity to be released for hunting, as well as for the restaurant market. Most species are hunted either for sport or subsistence. This is done sustainably for a few species; however, the impact of hunting is not known for most of the Latin American species. There are a few cases of crop depredation by some species.

Species accounts

Resources

Bonaccorso, Elisa. "Densidad y uso de habitat de perdíz Odontophorus columbianus en el Parque Nacional Henri Pittier." Trabajo Especial de Grado. Universidad Simón Bolívar Sartenejas.

Carroll, John P. "New World Quail." In Handbook of Birds of the World. Vol. 2. New World Vultures to Guineafowl, edited by Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott, and Jordi Sargatal. Barcelona: BirdLife International and Lynx Edicions, 1994.

Johnsgard, Paul A. Quails, Partridges, and Francolins of the World. London: Oxford University Press, 1988.

Brennan, Leonard A. "Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginanus)." In The Birds of North America, edited by Alan Poole and Frank Gill. No. 397. Philadelphia: The Birds of North America, Inc., 1999.

Fuller, Richard A., John P. Carroll, and Philip J.K. McGowan, eds. " Partridges, Quails, Francolins, Snowcocks, Guineafowl, and Turkeys. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan 2000–2004." Gland, Switzerland; Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Reading, United Kingdom: WPA/BirdLife/SSC Partridge, Quail and Francolin Specialist Group, IUCN, and World Pheasant Association, 2000.

McGowan, Philip J.K., Simon D. Dowell, John P. Carroll, and Nicholas J. Aebischer, eds. "Partridges, Quails, Francolins, Snowcocks, and Guineafowl. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan 1995–1999." Gland, Switzerland; Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Reading, United Kingdom: WPA/BirdLife/SSC Partridge, Quail and Francolin Specialist Group, IUCN, and World Pheasant Association, 1995.

WPA/BirdLife/SSC Partridge, Quail, and Francolin Specialist Group. c/o World Pheasant Association, PO Box 5, Lower Basildon, Reading, RG8 9PF United Kingdom. Phone: +44 1 189 845 140. Fax: +118 9843369. E-mail: wpa@gn.apc.org Web site: . PQF:

[Article by: John Patrick Carroll, PhD]