Odontophoridae – New World Quails

The family known as Odontophoridae (New World Quails) along with Cracidae (Guans, Curassows & Chachalacas), Megapodiidae (Megapodes), Numididae (Guineafowls) and Phasianidae (Partridges, Pheasants, Grouse & Allies) are Galliformes, one of the largest of bird orders.

The Odontophoridae – New World quails- are relatively small birds only distantly related to the Old-World quail, but named for their similar appearance and habits. The American species are in their own family Odontophoridae, whereas Old-World quails are part of the pheasant family Phasianidae.

The New-World family ranges from Canada through to southern Brazil, and two species, the California Quail Callipepla californica and the Bobwhite Quail Colinus virginianus, have been successfully introduced to New Zealand. The Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus and Nahan’s Partridge Ptilopachus nahani, both found in Africa, seem to belong to the family.

Mountain Quail Oreortyx pictus – ©Dubi Shapiro

Species are found throughout, and a variety of habitats are used by the family from tropical rainforest to deserts, although few species are capable of surviving at very low temperatures. Thirty-four species are placed in ten genera.

New World quail are generally short-winged, short-necked and short-tailed (although the genus Dendrortyx is an exception having a long tail). Their bills are short, slightly curved and serrated. The legs are also short and powerful, and lack the spurs of many Old World galliformes.

Long-tailed Wood Partridge Dendrortyx macroura – ©Dubi Shapiro

Although they are capable of short bursts of strong flight, New World quails prefer to walk, and will run from danger (or hide), taking off explosively only as a last resort. Plumage varies from dull to spectacular, and many species have ornamental crests or plumes on the head. There is moderate sexual dichromism in plumage, with males generally having brighter plumage.

Gambel’s Quail Callipepla gambelii – ©Dubi Shapiro

The New World quails are shy diurnal birds and generally live on the ground; even the wood quails, which roost in high trees, generally feed mainly on the ground. They are generalists with regards to their diet, taking insects, seeds, vegetation and tubers. Desert species in particular consume a lot of seeds.

Montezuma Quail Cyrtonyx montezumae –  ©Dubi Shapiro

Most of the information about the breeding biology of New World quails comes from North American species, which have been much better and more widely studied than those of the Neotropics. The family is generally thought to be monogamous, and nest are constructed on the ground. Clutch sizes are large, a situation typical within the Galliformes, ranging from three to six eggs for the wood quails, and as high as 10-15 for the Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus. Incubation takes between 16 and 30 days depending on the species. Chicks are precocial and quickly leave the nest to accompany the parents in large family groups.

Ocellated Quail Cyrtonyx ocellatus – ©Dubi Shapiro

Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus and California Quail Callipepla californica, are popular gamebirds, with many taken by hunters, but these species have also had their ranges increased to meet hunting demand and so are not threatened. They are also artificially stocked also adding to their numbers in the wild. Some species are threatened by human activity, such as the Bearded Wood Partridge Dendrortyx barbatus of Mexico, which is threatened by habitat loss and illegal hunting.