John Leonard wrote:
> One observation I have is that Brown Quail when flushed fly away in a direct
> line,
> Stubble Quail also fly away in a direct line but they rock from side to side
> as
> they fly.
I am a bit late with a reply but yes, you are right John. I had forgotten that
habit
of the Stubble Quail - not having seen one for a few years but now that you
mention
it, it is a good field charcter. I used to see many quail and button-quail when
my
family were farming quite a few years ago and noted then Stubble did that
rocking
from side to side as they flew away.
There are a few other interesting flight differences I have noticed between
these
two species as well which help to identify them. The Stubble's wings appear
much
longer giving a long tapered-wing appearance while the Brown's wings always look
fairly short - quite noticeable in profile as they fly directly away. The
Stubble
rises from the ground to just above cover and zooms quickly away, low, on very
rapid
wings. The Brown normally rises much higher than all other quail and
button-qauil
(except for the occasional Chestnut-backed and Buff-breasted which will
sometimes
rise up over the tree tops). It (Brown) mostly rises to about 2 metres from
the
ground, arching up and away which is pretty much diagnostic. Stubble quail
often
fly much further than Brown Quail. Brown usually make a short burst and glide in
flight. The wings of the Brown have a noticeable downcurved 'bow' in them,
noticeable when they glide, which I am sure is diagnostic. Another thing about
the
Brown is that it often utteres a few chipping notes as it rises - I don't think
any
other quail or button-quail does that. Brown Quail coveys have an interesting
method of moving. A covey will rise from the grass and fly 30-40 metres and
drop to
cover again, then after a few minutes do the same thing. I have seen this
through
the day at various times. Anyhow, that's my observations.
I have seen what Mike mentioned re the markings. I had a party of 12 Brown
feeding
at intervals about the house and was able to watch them from inside. The
variation
was remarkable and one or two of them could easily be mistaken for a Stubble at
a
quick glance.
Lloyd Nielsen
Mt Molloy, Nth Qld
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message
"unsubscribe birding-aus" (no quotes, no Subject line)
to
|
