Brown Quail 

The brown quail was introduced to both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, from Australia, around the 1860s. They now only survive in the North Island.  

They have a small round dumpy body, dark eyes and a grey bill. There are subtle differences between the male and female plumage. Both sexes look generally brown and streaky with hints of chestnut, grey, white and black. The female has a streakier appearance, the white lines on her back and wings contrasting with the black and light brown background (see photo below left). The male has more chestnut and grey in his plumage, with a strong chevron pattern on his breast and flanks and and less prominent streaking on wings and back (see photo right). The call is a plaintive 'ker-wee' with a rising inflexion, heard most often in spring.

The brown quail is mainly herbivorous; they favour the seeds of fallen grasses, weeds and shrubs, and supplement this diet with vegetation, flowers and insects. 

Breeding takes place between September and January, laying 7-12 eggs in a ground level nest beneath thick vegetation. The nest itself is a slight depression lined with grasses. The female alone incubates for around 21 days, the young chicks leaving the nest when extremely small and vulnerable.

Brown quail are seen frequently on Tiritiri Matangi, usually in the short grass on the road margins, on the forest floor, or dust-bathing on the tracks. They are reluctant to fly and usually scurry off into the undergrowth when approached too closely, but when they do fly it is with a fast, loud, whirring flight. 

Find out more about the brown quail at New Zealand Birds Online.

Photography by: Val Smytheman  © (top right) and Simon Fordham © (bottom left)

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.