Coturnix coturnix - Common Quail
Feather characters. Barbules are of medium length (1.02-1.05 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and partly pigmented (less than 50%) internodes. Both vase- and ring-shaped nodes are present. Nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (38-40 per mm). Ring shaped nodes are present on basal- and middle- section of basal barbules. Some nodes become detached and form groups. These multiple nodes may be hard to find. Towards distal part, nodes gradually decrease in size and become vase shaped. Villi are absent and internodes are occasionally kinked. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum.
Field characters. Size 16-18 cm. Weight: male 90 g (76-111), female 103 g (81-122) (Dunning, 1993). A tiny Grey Partridge-like bird which is usually detected by characteristic call of male. Body mainly sandy, barred with dark brown and pale buff above; underparts paler and flanks streaked with buff and white. Crown dark brown with buff streak down centre; buff stripe from above eye down to base of neck. Male has buffish or chestnut throat bordered by black band and with black central stripe, the last being absent in the female; throat patch of female paler and chest spotted black. Juvenile like adult female but without black lines on throat and lower cheeks; flanks barred and spotted, not streaked. At all ages bill grey, legs and feet pale yellow-pink or brown-flesh.
Voice. Characteristic, tri-syllabic call of male is a liquid "quic, qui-ic", which is repeated often.
Distribution. Scarce summer visitor in north, common in south. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. In the breeding season essentially a bird of agricultural country, but it occurs also on grasslands and steppe.
Food. Omnivorous feeder, taking chiefly seeds and insects, which are found on the ground by scraping and digging with feet and beak.