HKBWS BBS 香港觀鳥會新聞組


    
      
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        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Bird Identification 鳥類辨識 >>  Button-quail sp?
        
(Message started by: geoff_welch on Sep 21^st, 2006, 6:14pm)

Title: Button-quail sp?
Post by geoff_welch on Sep 21^st, 2006, 6:14pm

No photos I'm afraid, only a description.

When walking yesterday afternoon on the SE peninsular of Po Toi, I disturbed a quail type bird from the grass beside the path. It flew with an audible whirring noise about 20 yards before diving into the brush. It was mid-brown colour, dumpy with no apparent tail. As it landed, it raised its head and I could see the head was plain without any obvious streaks or marks. I also noticed an orange colour around the tail area, and as the bird had turned to look at me, I think the orange was under the tail.

Is this description sufficient to rule out Japanese Quail and leave Button-quail? Field guides all mention the contrasting upper-wing pattern, which I did not see, perhaps not enough time to notice. It all happened very quickly.

If so, what should I look for in future to identify the actual species?
Thanks.

Title: Re: Button-quail sp?
Post by miket on Sep 21^st, 2006, 9:11pm

Hi Geoff,

Difficult to say really - the plain head maybe favours Japanese Quail, but I think a button-quail is perhaps more likely and getting orange on the rear-end perhaps favours Barred.

Not really conclusive though.

Mike Turnbull

Title: Re: Button-quail sp?
Post by geoff_welch on Sep 22^nd, 2006, 8:36am

Thanks Mike. I will call it probable Button-quail sp.