Dark-backed Wood-Quail
Odontophorus melanonotus
Distinctive within very limited range in northwest Ecuador and extreme southwestern Colombia. Approximately the size and shape of a large, lumpy grapefruit. Upperparts are the color of dark chocolate, with a contrasting rufous breast. Compare with Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail, which occurs at lower elevations and has a much different head pattern. Very difficult to see away from Refugio Paz de las Aves in Ecuador, where a small party often visits feeders. Otherwise remains on the ground in dense understory, but can occasionally be seen on forest trails, especially at dawn or dusk. Listen for rollicking song.
Identification
The dark-backed wood quail is 23 to 28 cm (9.1 to 11.0 in) long. Both males and females weigh about 322 g (11.4 oz). Adults of both sexes are overall brownish black with fine chestnut vermiculation. The throat and breast are reddish chestnut. The juvenile is similarly colored but duller overall.
Taxonomy
The dark-backed wood quail is one of 15 species in the genus Odontophorus. Within the genus, it is part of the chestnut wood quail species complex. At various times it has been proposed or considered as conspecific with chestnut wood quail (O. hyperythrus), rufous-fronted wood quail (O. erythrops), and rufous-breasted wood quail (O. speciosus).<p>The generic name Odontophorus is from the Greek odontophoros, meaning tooth-bearing. The specific epithet melanonotus is from the Greek melas, meaning black, and notus, meaning backed.<p>The species is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Odontophorus melanonotus
- Authority
- Gould, 1861
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Odontophoridae
- Genus
- Odontophorus
Range and habitat
The dark-backed wood quail is found in the Andes from southern Colombia's Nariño Department south to Cotopaxi Province in Ecuador. It inhabits primary and secondary tropical forest in the fairly narrow altitudinal band between 1,100 and 2,200 m (3,600 and 7,200 ft). Though primarily terrestrial, it roosts above ground in trees.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The dark-backed wood quail forages in groups of up to 10 birds seeking terrestrial invertebrates and fruit.<p>Almost nothing is known about the dark-backed wood quail's breeding phenology. Observations of recently hatched chicks and dependent young in many different months indicate a long breeding season or possibly two of them.<p>The dark-backed wood quail's advertising song is a duet, "a fast rollicking 'koreewow-koreewow-koreewow...'" and calls include "soft whistles and mellow rolling notes."
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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