Ostrich quail
| Ostrich quail | ||||||||
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Male Ostrich Quail ( Rollulus rouloul ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||
| Rollulus | ||||||||
| Bonnaterre , 1791 | ||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||
| Rollulus rouloul | ||||||||
| ( Scopoli , 1786) |
The Crested Partridge ( Rollulus rouloul ) is a species of bird from the family of pheasant-like (Phasianidae) and is the only type of its kind , the ostrich quail ( Rollulus ).
features
The ostrich quail reaches a body length of about 25 to 27 cm and a weight of 150 to 190 g. The body shape is almost spherical. The dark gray to black bill of both sexes is red at the base, the tail is short and the legs are reddish, the feet have no spurs. The eye area is featherless and colored bright red. The further coloring of both sexes is different. The head of the females is slate gray and the plumage is predominantly olive to grass green, the rounded wings are chestnut brown. The only slightly larger males have a shiny metallic black plumage that shimmers through in bright green, bluish and purple colors when exposed to sunlight. The wing tips shimmer slightly brownish. The distinctive sign of the male is the red hair on the back of the head, which consists of bristly red to red-brown feathers. A white band runs above the eyes on the forehead at the base of the forehead. In addition, both sexes have black bristly feathers on their cheeks. The plumage of younger birds is less shiny.
The song of the ostrich quail sounds like "si-jul".
distribution
The ostrich quail is native to Southeast Asia. The distribution area includes southern Myanmar , southern Thailand , Malaysia , Sumatra and Borneo as well as the islands of the Mergui archipelago. The species mainly inhabits the dense, evergreen, tropical rainforest and bamboo groves, but also clearings with bushes. It occurs more in the lowlands and up to heights of 1,550 m above sea level.
Behavior and nutrition
The diurnal ostrich quail live in small groups on the forest floor. In the event of danger or other disturbances they run away, if necessary they also flutter away a short distance in all directions. In addition to seeds and fruits, ostrich quails mainly eat insects. They search the forest floor alone or as a couple.
Reproduction
Sexual maturity occurs at six months. Ostrich quail breed between December and April, depending on their distribution area. Both sexes are involved in building the rather complicated nest. The nest is carved into the ground in a hemispherical shape, bordered with fallen leaves and finally hidden completely under fallen leaves. This domed nest is designed in such a way that it camouflages the green feathered female extremely well. Building the nest can take up to three days. The hen lays five or six white eggs, which she incubates on her own for almost exactly 18 days. During the incubation, the male keeps watch on the clutch. Both adult birds then take care of the rearing of the young birds. Atypical for chicken birds , the chicks are fed from beak to beak. They spend the first time in the nest. The juveniles are usually led back to the nest by the adults in the evening to spend the night there. The young birds are independent after just 25 to 30 days. An ostrich quail can reach an age of up to five years.
Hazard and protection
In large parts of their distribution areas, the ostrich quail has become rare due to the extensive habitat destruction caused by ongoing deforestation. However, they seem to be more adaptable than other bald-footed chickens in Southeast Asia. In the IUCN Red List , the ostrich quail is listed as a type of warning list ("near threatened").
swell
- Madge and McGowan: Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse . Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd, February 28, 2002, ISBN 0-7136-3966-0 .
Web links
- ARKive - images and movies of the Crested Wood Partridge ( Rollulus rouloul )
- BirdLife Species Factsheet
- Rollulus rouloul inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2013.