Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Harlequin Quail
Coturnix delegorguei
Harlequin Quail (Coturnix delegorguei) — Gamebirds of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Harlequin Quail (Coturnix delegorguei) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 76 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Coturnix
- Species delegorguei
Quick facts
- Weight
- 76 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Harlequin Quail is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Harlequin Quail is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Harlequin Quail (Coturnix delegorguei) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF widespread.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 76 g, with a wing length of about 9.1 cm and a tail of around 3.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 9.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Harlequin Quail?
The Harlequin Quail is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 76 g.
Where does the Harlequin Quail live?
The Harlequin Quail is found across Africa with a range covering AF widespread, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Harlequin Quail belong to?
The Harlequin Quail (Coturnix delegorguei) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Harlequin Quail eat?
The Harlequin Quail is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Harlequin Quail migrate?
The Harlequin Quail is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Harlequin Quail endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Harlequin Quail make?
1 real field recording of the Harlequin Quail — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Harlequin Quail's range?
The Harlequin Quail has a mapped global range of about 9.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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