Common quail
The common quail (Coturnix coturnix) is a small, cryptic ground-nesting bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae, characterized by its mottled brown plumage that provides excellent camouflage in grassy habitats.[1] Measuring 16–18 cm in length with a wingspan of 32–35 cm and weighing 70–140 g, it is a compact, secretive species often detected by its distinctive "wet-my-lips" call rather than visual sightings.[2] Native to the Palearctic region, it breeds across Europe, northwestern Africa (including the Canary Islands and Madeira), Central Asia, Pakistan, Mongolia, northern India, and eastern Siberia, while undertaking long-distance migrations to winter in sub-Saharan Africa, southern India, and parts of the Middle East; several subspecies occupy distinct ranges, such as in the Azores, Cape Verde, and from Ethiopia to southern Angola.[1] Preferring open grasslands, agricultural fields (especially clover and winter wheat), and dense, tall vegetation for cover, it avoids bare soils but adapts to weedy areas during migration.[3] An omnivorous feeder, the common quail primarily consumes seeds, green plant matter, insects, and small invertebrates, foraging on the ground in pairs or small coveys.[1] Breeding occurs in spring and summer, with females laying clutches of 6–12 eggs in shallow scrapes on the ground, often in cereal crops or fallow fields; the species exhibits rapid reproduction, with incubation lasting 17–20 days and fledging in 18–20 days.[1] Although classified as Least Concern globally by the IUCN Red List with an estimated population of 15–35 million mature individuals, populations are decreasing due to agricultural intensification, habitat loss, and hunting pressures, prompting conservation efforts in parts of its range.[3][4]Taxonomy and systematics
Etymology and classification
The scientific name of the common quail is Coturnix coturnix, the only species in its genus with a tautonym (a binomial where both the genus and specific epithet are identical).[5] The genus name Coturnix derives from the Latin word for quail, reflecting its longstanding recognition in classical texts as a small game bird.[6] This species was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae in 1758, where it was classified under the order Gallinae based on early morphological assessments.[7] The common quail belongs to the family Phasianidae (pheasants and allies), specifically within the subfamily Perdicinae, which encompasses partridges, francolins, and Old World quails.[8] The genus Coturnix is distinguished from other quail-like genera in Phasianidae, such as Perdix (true partridges), by its smaller size, migratory habits, and distinct vocalizations adapted for long-distance travel.[9] Unlike New World quails in the separate family Odontophoridae, Coturnix species are true pheasant relatives with a more rounded body form and ground-nesting behavior tied to Eurasian and African grasslands.[10] Phylogenetically, the common quail is closely related to the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), with molecular analyses estimating their divergence around 2.25 million years ago during the early Pleistocene, likely driven by geographic isolation in Eurasia.[11] Within the broader Phasianidae, the Coturnix lineage forms part of the tribe Coturnicini (Old World quails), sister to other perdicine groups like Alectoris partridges, based on mitochondrial DNA and nuclear gene phylogenies.[12] The evolutionary origins of galliform birds, including the ancestors of Coturnix, trace back to the Paleogene period, with the crown group Phasianidae emerging approximately 40–50 million years ago in the Eocene–Oligocene transition.[13] Historically, the taxonomy of the common quail underwent revisions in the 19th century as ornithologists differentiated Old World quails from other galliforms; for instance, William Robert Ogilvie-Grant's 1896 work separated C. coturnix from the Japanese quail, establishing their distinct species status based on plumage and geographic distribution.[14] Earlier classifications had lumped various quail-like birds under broader categories, but advances in comparative anatomy and distribution studies solidified Coturnix as a monotypic genus for the common quail by the early 20th century.[1]Subspecies
The common quail (Coturnix coturnix) is recognized as comprising five subspecies based on modern taxonomy incorporating genetic and morphological data. Subspecies delineation relies on differences in plumage patterns, body size, vocalizations, and genetic markers from mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite analyses, which indicate partial reproductive isolation among populations adapted to distinct environments.[1][15][16] The following table summarizes the recognized subspecies, their geographic distributions, and key morphological distinctions:| Subspecies | Authority | Geographic Distribution | Morphological Distinctions |
|---|---|---|---|
| C. c. coturnix (nominate) | Linnaeus, 1758 | Breeding in Europe, northwestern Africa (including Canary Islands and Madeira), Central Asia, Pakistan, Mongolia, northern India, and eastern Siberia; winters in sub-Saharan Africa | Typical form with streaked brown upperparts, pale buff underparts with dark streaks, and size 16–18 cm body length, 70–140 g weight; serves as reference for the species.[1] |
| C. c. conturbans | Hartert, 1917 | Azores | Similar to nominate but with potential insular adaptations; subtle plumage variations.[1] |
| C. c. inopinata | Hartert, 1917 | Cape Verde Islands | Similar to nominate; limited data on distinctions due to small population.[1] |
| C. c. erlangeri | Zedlitz, 1912 | Ethiopia to Zimbabwe | Slightly darker plumage adapted to highland and semi-arid regions; size similar to nominate.[1] |
| C. c. africana | Temminck & Schlegel, 1848 | Southern Africa from South Africa to southern Angola, including Comoros and Madagascar | Darker overall with more pronounced barring on flanks; slightly smaller size, adapted to savannas.[1][17] |