Black-eared wood quail

Black-eared wood quail
Conservation status
Near Threatened(IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Odontophoridae
Genus:	Odontophorus
Species:	O. melanotis
Binomial name
Odontophorus melanotis Salvin,1865

Theblack-eared wood quail(Odontophorus melanotis) is abirdspecies in the orderGalliformes.Until recently, the species was thought to be part of the familyPhasianidae(Old World quail) however DNA-DNA hybridizationresults determined that black-eared wood quail are only distantly related to Old World quail.As a result, black-eared wood quail have been placed in the familyOdontophoridae(New World quail)and more specifically, in the category of wood quail (genusOdontophorus).

There is limited information available on this species, but black-eared wood quail are considered to be forest-adapted,monogamous,relatively large pheasant-like birds that can be found in tropical and subtropical forests of Central America.They feed on insects and fruitand can be solo or in small groups.

Description

The black-eared wood quail (Odontophorus melanotis) is agallinaceousbird found in Central America. Its body is dark brown or black with arufousbreast.The most characteristic features of this bird are its unspotted chestnutcrownandcrestand its black face and throat.It has a black bill, blue-black legs and a purple bare ring around its eye.Females are close in appearance to males, but have a blue-black eye ring instead of purple, darker sides of the head and duller chestnut colors.

The black-eared wood quail is very similar in appearance to theRufous-fronted wood quail (Odontophorus erythrops),but the Rufous-fronted wood quail has a distinctive white jugular band that is absent in the black-eared wood quail.

Taxonomy

Black-eared wood quails are part of the taxonomic groupOdontophorus.In the family Odontophoridae and subfamily Odontophorinae,Odontophorusis the largest genus with the greatest number of species and the largest collective geographic range.The species comprising this genus are typically large, forest dwelling birds.They are poorly observed, understudied and the least known group of all American gallinaceous birds.

Black-eared wood quails have often been considered to be a race of Rufous-fronted wood quailbut there is no apparent evidence ofintergradation.The current and most accuratenomenclaturefor the black-eared wood quail isOdontophorus melanotisand for the Rufous-fronted wood quail;Odontophorus erythrops.

There are two known subspecies of black-eared wood quail;

• Odontophorus melanotis verecundus(Peters, 1929). This subspecies’ range encompasses the Caribbean slope of Honduras.
• Odontophorus melanotis melanotis(Salvin, 1865). This subspecies has a distribution that includes South-East Honduras, Nicaragua as well as the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and Panama.

Habitat and distribution

Despite the insufficient amount of data available, most species ofOdontophorus,including the black-eared wood quail, are considered to be forest-adaptedand typically found in tropical and lower subtropical forest habitats.They are territorial,ground dwelling and often found on the forest floor ofvirgin forestsor in the vegetation of thicksecond growth.

The black-eared wood quail persists across the Caribbean slope of central America; including Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica,as well as eastern Panama and likely the northwest of Columbia.

Behavior

The black-eared wood quail is presumed to be sedentaryand is not known to migrate. Individuals of this species can be found alone, in pairs or in small groups of up to 10 or 12 individualscalledcoveys.

Vocalizations

Duetting is considered to be widespread within New World wood quail.Black-eared wood quail make soft, cooing or peeping conversational sounds among members of their covey.They also have an advertising call, which is a repetitive, ringing duet that can be sung by a lone bird and carries across long distances.The sound is described as ““kooLAWlik kooLAWlik kooLAWK kooLAWK” or” LAWcooKLAWcoo”.

Diet

Very little information is available on the specific diet and feeding strategies of black-eared wood quail. However, black-eared wood quail, like other New World wood quail, are surmised to scratch inleaf-litterfor insects and fallen fruit.

Reproduction

The breeding season for black-eared wood quail is suspected to begin during the dry season of Panama (December to mid-April) and the birds are most likelymonogamous.Nest have been found between trees, lined with leaves and grasses.Eggs have been found in clutches of 4 and were cream or white colored with brown spots.No additional information is available on the breeding and reproductive strategies of this species.

Conservation status and Threats

There is insufficient information available for many species of wood quail which has resulted in inaccurate conservation assessments based on unreliable data.Deforestationis the major threat to the species as well as hunting.The black-eared wood quail’s population is decreasingand the total population is thought to be less than 50,000 birds.Nonetheless, black-eared wood quail are not considered to be globally threatened and are near threatened on the IUCN Red List,although more extensive studies and surveys are highly recommended and required for more accurate conservation conclusions.

External links

• Ebird Black-Eared Wood-Quail
• Birds of The World
• BirdLife International

Photo links

• Ebird