Rock Bush-Quail

Perdicula argoondah

A squat and rotund bush-quail. Males have a dull chestnut forecrown and face, a thin white eyebrow over a dark brown eyeline that broadens behind the eye. Lightly barred brown above and boldly barred in black and white below. Females have a similar but duller head pattern with vinaceous underparts without barring. Note the slaty gray bill and orange legs. Found in pairs or family groups in dry rocky areas with scrub. Secretive, but its musical trill followed by rapidly ascending piping notes is often heard.

Identification

The rock bush quail is very similar to and overlaps in range with the jungle bush quail (Perdicula asiatica). These birds are found in small coveys and are often detected only when they suddenly burst out into flight en masse from under vegetation. It is 6.7–7.25 in (17.0–18.4 cm) in length and weighs 2.25–3 oz (64–85 g). It is some shade of brown barred and mottled with darker colour. A diagnostic feature is that the outermost primary feather is longer than the innermost, and the inner web of the primaries is barred or speckled with buff. The voice is a trill followed by a series of piping notes which start quiet and grow louder.

Taxonomy

There are three recognised subspecies:

Scientific name
Perdicula argoondah
Authority
(Sykes, 1832)
Order
Galliformes
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Perdicula

Range and habitat

The rock bush quail is native to the western half of India and is believed to be a non-migratory species. It occurs in arid areas with scrubby grassland and thorny bushes and is seldom found above about 600 metres (2,000 ft).

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Pacific Reef-Heron

Pacific Reef-Heron

Egretta sacra

A small heron that hugs rocky coastlines. Light-morph individuals are usually white all over, though some may show patches of gray. Dark-morph individuals are entirely dark gray. Both morphs have a yellowish green bill and legs. Light morph adults are distinguished from egrets in the area by their distinct short-legged appearance and noticeably thicker bill.

Saipan Reed Warbler

Saipan Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus hiwae

A relatively large plain brown reed warbler with a pale throat, a yellowish face, a darker cap and tail, and an absurdly long decurved bill. Found in areas of tall dense grasses, reed marshes, and scrubby thickets up to 400 meters of elevation. Song is a slow, loud reel of whistles, warbles, harsh “chak” notes, and trills. Call is a loud, offensive “tchak.” Often sings at night.

Urubamba Antpitta

Urubamba Antpitta

Grallaria occabambae

Plump, mostly terrestrial bird with long legs and a short tail found at high elevations in the eastern Andes of southern Peru. Plumage is mostly chestnut brown but is slightly paler on the belly. Similar to Leymebamba Antpitta, but larger, longer legged, and lacks gray in the plumage. The white eyering helps to separate it from Ayacucho Antpitta. Voice is also very helpful for ID; depending on location, it gives either three quick whistles with a pause after the first, or just two whistles. Also sometimes sings a longer, decelerating series of around ten notes. Usually stays well-hidden on or near the forest floor. Formerly considered a subspecies of what used to be called Rufous Antpitta.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.