Photo: Creator:Lange / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Ocellated Quail
Cyrtonyx ocellatus
Ocellated Quail (Cyrtonyx ocellatus) — Gamebirds of Central America & Caribbean.
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The Ocellated Quail (Cyrtonyx ocellatus) is a member of the Odontophoridae family found in Central America & Caribbean. Adults weigh 199 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Odontophoridae New World Quail
- Genus Cyrtonyx
- Species ocellatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 199 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Odontophoridae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Ocellated Quail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Ocellated Quail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Ocellated Quail (Cyrtonyx ocellatus) belongs to the Odontophoridae family of the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across Central America & Caribbean. Its distribution covers MA sw Mexico to Nicaragua.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 199 g, with a wing length of about 12.1 cm and a tail of around 4.4 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 131,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Ocellated Quail?
The Ocellated Quail is a large bird that weighs around 199 g.
Where does the Ocellated Quail live?
The Ocellated Quail is found across Central America & Caribbean with a range covering MA sw Mexico to Nicaragua, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Ocellated Quail belong to?
The Ocellated Quail (Cyrtonyx ocellatus) belongs to the Odontophoridae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Ocellated Quail eat?
The Ocellated Quail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Ocellated Quail migrate?
The Ocellated Quail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Ocellated Quail endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Ocellated Quail make?
1 real field recording of the Ocellated 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 Ocellated Quail's range?
The Ocellated Quail has a mapped global range of about 131,000 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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