Painted Buttonquail (Turnix varius) Information

Painted Buttonquail

The Painted Buttonquail (Turnix varius) is a species of buttonquail, the family Turnicidae, which resemble, but are unrelated to, the quails of Phasianidae. This species is resident in Australia. A subspecies, the Abrolhos Painted Button-quail (Turnix varius scintillans), is endemic to the Houtman Abrolhos islands.

Painted Buttonquail
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Description

The Painted Buttonquail is about 19–20 cm long. It is found in grassy forests and woodlands. It feeds on insects and seeds, and males incubate the eggs for a fortnight and then care for the young.

The female is the more brightly coloured of the sexes. Her eyes are red, and her crown, face and breast is flecked with white. Her shoulders are chestnut with thin white streaking above them. The male is slightly smaller and duller.