Pearl quail
| Pearl quail | ||||||||
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Pearl quail ( Margaroperdix madagarensis ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||
| Margaroperdix | ||||||||
| Reichenbach , 1853 | ||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||
| Margaroperdix madagarensis | ||||||||
| ( Scopoli , 1786) |
The pearl quail ( Margaroperdix madagarensis ) is a species in the pheasant-like family . Their main distribution area is Madagascar .
Appearance
The pearl quail reaches a body length of 24 to 28 centimeters, with the male usually being larger than the female. The weight of both sexes is about 220 grams.
In the adult male, the forehead and headstock are dark brown with individual black spots. There is a thin white line in the middle of the top of the head. The chin and throat are black. The ear patches, the neck and chest sides are gray. The center of the chest is red-brown. The lower chest and belly are black with striking white spots on each feather. The flanks and the trunk are red-brown with white vertical stripes. The neck and the coat are dark red-brown, the upper tail-coverts matt dark brown. The female, however, wears an inconspicuous brownish plumage.
Distribution area and habitat
The pearl quail occurs naturally only in Madagascar. It is missing in the extreme south of this island. It was introduced in Réunion and Mauritius . It has become a common bird on Reunion, while it is rare in Mauritius. Their habitat are bushy and grassy habitats. This ranges from dry fields to forest clearings. The altitude distribution ranges from sea level to altitudes of 2,700 meters.
Way of life
The reproductive habits of the pearl quail have not yet been adequately researched. It breeds on the Madagascar plateau from March to June. The nest is a simple hollow in the ground hidden under tufts of grass or bushes. In the case of quail kept in human care, the clutch size is eight to 15 eggs. The breeding season is 18 to 19 days.
supporting documents
literature
- Steve Madge , Phil McGowan, and Guy M. Kirwan : Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse. A Guide to the Pheasants, Partridges, Quails, Grouse, Guineafowl, Buttonquails and Sandgrouse of the world. Christopher Helm, London 2002, ISBN 0-7136-3966-0 .
Single receipts
- ↑ Madge et al., P. 233
Web links
- Margaroperdix madagarensis in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2013.2. Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2014.