鸡形目

鹌鹑 Japanese Quail
Coturnix japonica

小型雉类
体长 17~19 cm

虹膜 /iris

红褐色 /reddish- brown

嘴 /bill

灰色 /grey

脚 /legs and feet

肉棕色 /flesh-brown

目 │ 鸡形目GALLIFORMES 科 │ 雉科Phasianidae

野外识别 │ 通体灰褐色，头具条纹及近白色的长眉纹，上体具皮黄色矛状长条纹，下体皮黄色，胸及两胁具黑色条纹。

居留及分布 │ 分布于亚洲东部、亚洲东南部、印度东北部，其中包括中国大陆及中国台湾、菲律宾。在中国东北地区繁殖，在中国东南和西南地区越冬。南岭不常见，但可能是性隐蔽、个体小的原因。

生境及习性 │ 栖息于矮草地及农田。

Field identification │ A small, round partridge-like bird with a very short tail, short thick legs and white-streaked dark brown upperparts, usually seen on the ground or flying low on whirring wings.The head shows a narrow pale central stripe and a long white supercilium, while the face and throat are pale with a few dark marks (the face becoming reddish-brown on breeding plumage males), and the underparts are buffy or whitish, usually streaked darker on the breast and flanks.

Distribution & status │ Breeds in northeast Asia, and winters further south. In China, it breeds in northern and northeastern provinces and winters in central and southern provinces including Guangdong. In Nanling，it is an uncommon passage migrant.

Habitat & habits │ Japanese Quails occur in grassy areas and dry farmland, where they feed on a variety of plant material and small invertebrates.