Gorgeted wood quail

Gorgeted wood quail
Conservation status
Vulnerable(IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Odontophoridae
Genus:	Odontophorus
Species:	O. strophium
Binomial name
Odontophorus strophium (Gould,1844)

The raregorgeted wood quail(Odontophorus strophium) is a small ground-dwelling bird. This tiny member of the New World quail family has been found in the larger oak forest remnants in the easternCordillera(Serrania de YariguiesandNorAndino Oak Forest Corridor) section ofColombia.

Its natural habitat is humidsubtropicaland temperate forests that have mainlyoakandlaureltrees. The bird has only been sighted between the altitudes of 1,750-2,050 m, but it is believed that this tiny quail may have an elevational range of 1,500-2,500 m. It is probably dependent onprimary forestfor a part of its life-cycle, yet it has also been sited in degraded habitats andsecondary forest.

It forages for fruit, seeds andarthropods.The bird's breeding season seems to coincide with peaks in annual rainfall in March–May and September–November.

It was formerly classified asCritically Endangeredby theIUCN.But new research has shown it to be not as rare as it was believed. Consequently, it is downlisted toEndangeredstatus in 2008.

Feeding

The Gorgeted quail eats insects and nuts especially in summer, as well as plants. Unlike many other bird species, they require a high protein diet.

References

• BirdLife International(BLI) (2008):[2008 IUCN Redlist status changes].Retrieved 2008-MAY-23.

External links

• BirdLife Species Factsheet.