Painted Button-quail Turnix varia

Length male 17–19 cm, female 18–23 cm; wingspan: male 28–34 cm, female 30–38 cm; weight: male c. 75 g, female c. 110 g.

Usually seen singly, in pairs or occasionally small coveys, Painted Button-quail are often seen foraging among extensive layers of leaf-litter, where they make characteristic circular depressions, called platelets, by slowly spinning around on the same spot while pecking the soil.  When disturbed while feeding, they often freeze or run quickly in spurts, and when flushed from the ground, they fly quickly, weaving through the trees on short, broad and rounded wings, usually a metre or two above the ground; they usually fly for some distance before dropping back to the and then running away.

HABITAT
This species is associated with dry open forests, grassy eucalypt woodlands, banksia woodlands or shrublands (sometimes with dense heathy undergrowth), acacia woodlands (such as those dominated by Brigalow), open and closed heathland and shrubland, and open to dense mallee scrubs.  Preferred habitats have a canopy of mature eucalypts, a sparse to mid-dense understorey, sparse ground-cover of grass, herbs and shrubs and much deep plant-litter and fallen timber.  In moister forests, the species is apparently restricted to dry ridges and slopes.  Painted Button-quail also occasionally occur in sown crops and grasslands.

DISTRIBUTION
Widespread in eastern and southern Australia.  Elsewhere, the species also occurs in New Caledonia.

STATUS

• Declining in New South Wales
• Listed as a member of a declining Temperate Woodland Community in Victoria
• Rare in South Australia

THREATS
Numbers of Painted Button-quail decline after clearing, logging or grazing of preferred habitats.  In addition, numbers occurring near settlements may also decline partly from the effect of introduced predators.  Button-quail leave an area in response to disturbance, but they may return after about 2 months of quiet.  They are occasionally observed in suburban gardens, suburban car parks and other unusual habitats during autumn, probably while on migration, and they are occasionally killed by vehicles on roads.

MOVEMENTS
Resident

Return to Previous Page