Photo: sympiotr / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
King Quail
Synoicus chinensis
King Quail (Synoicus chinensis) — Gamebirds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 19 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The King Quail (Synoicus chinensis) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 40.4 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 Synoicus
- Species chinensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 40.4 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The King Quail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The King Quail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The King Quail (Synoicus chinensis) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, AU widespread.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 40.4 g, with a wing length of about 7 cm and a tail of around 2.7 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 8.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the King Quail?
The King Quail is a small bird that weighs around 40.4 g.
Where does the King Quail live?
The King Quail is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, AU widespread, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the King Quail belong to?
The King Quail (Synoicus chinensis) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the King Quail eat?
The King Quail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the King Quail migrate?
The King Quail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the King 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 King Quail make?
1 real field recording of the King Quail — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the King Quail's range?
The King Quail has a mapped global range of about 8.2 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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