Black-breasted Wood-Quail
Odontophorus leucolaemus
Plump chickenlike bird, stout bill, dark brown overall with blacker breast and face and variable white markings on throat. The blackness of the breast should help separate from other quail. Found in small flocks, always on the ground, foraging through leaf litter in the forest. More often heard than seen: listen for the rich chuckling song, often given by multiple birds at once.
Identification
The black-breasted wood quail is a medium-sized species of New World quail, being 22–25.5 cm (8.7–10.0 in) in length and weighing on average 286 g (10.1 oz) for females and 300 g (11 oz) for males. Although males are larger than females, the sexes are otherwise similar and can not visually be distinguished.
Taxonomy
The black-breasted wood quail is one of 15 species in the genus Odontophorus. Within the genus, it is a part of the dusky wood quail species complex, and is sometimes considered to be conspecific with the Venezuelan wood quail, gorgeted wood quail, Tacarcuna wood quail, and the black-fronted wood quail. <p>The generic name Odontophorus is from the Greek odontophoros, meaning tooth-bearing. The specific epithet leucolaemus is from the Greek leukos, meaning white, and laimos, meaning throat. Alternative names for the species include white-throated wood quail.<p>The species is monotypic. Populations around Dota in Costa Rica have sometimes been split as a distinct subspecies, O. l. smithianus on the basis of differences in plumage, but they are generally considered a melanistic morph.
- Scientific name
- Odontophorus leucolaemus
- Authority
- Salvin, 1867
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Odontophoridae
- Genus
- Odontophorus
Range and habitat
The black-breasted wood quail is found in Costa Rica and Panama. However, it has not been recorded from Panama since 1933, and may be extirpated from there.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Like other Odontophorus species, the black-breasted wood quail is gregarious year-round and usually travels in coveys of 10-15 individuals in undergrowth on forested slopes. These feed together over small areas throughout the day, and come together at dusk to roost in low branches. They also defend group territories together by calling back and forth with neighboring coveys, most often just after dawn, and displaying aggressively at the boundaries of their territories. Unlike other species in the genus, they do not vocalize at dusk. The species is shy and walks away in the undergrowth when approached, only flushing reluctantly.<p>Little is known about its diet. However, it may feed on plant matter, supplementing its diet with insects. <p>The black-breasted wood quail's breeding habits are poorly known, but the species is most likely monogamous. Cooperative breeding has also been recorded in the species. Nesting occurs at the start of the rainy season in May and June, but vocal activity is most intense from March-April. Nests are round hollows in leaf litter, with their entrances pointing slightly downwards, and are guarded by parties of adults. Eggs are laid in clutches of 4-6 eggs, and are white in color, eventually staining brown. Incubation takes 16-17 days.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Rare and poorly-known hummingbird with extremely limited range near the border of Panama and Colombia. The most distinctive feature on this medium-sized hummingbird is the pale rufous outer tail feathers, present on both males and females. Also note small cinnamon patch on wings. Male has glittering blue-green throat. Female is paler below with a cinnamon wash on throat. Occurs in the foothills and highlands, usually in the lower to middle levels of forest.
Short-tailed Drongo
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Tiny hummingbird with long tail often cocked up. Slow bumblebee-like flight. The only woodstar in its range. Male has purple throat and white collar, otherwise greenish with some orange tones on the flanks. Female more confusing but note small size and flight style; also orange flanks, dark cheek with white spot behind eye, and white patches on sides of rump. Feeds at small flowers at all levels of forest edge, also visits feeders.
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