Quail-plover

Ortyxelos meiffrenii

Quail-plover (Ortyxelos meiffrenii) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.

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The Quail-plover (Ortyxelos meiffrenii) is a member of the Turnicidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 17.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Turnicidae Buttonquail
Genus Ortyxelos
Species meiffrenii

Where it lives

Mauritania and Senegal to Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 17.6 g
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Turnicidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Quail-plover 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 Quail-plover is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Quail-plover (Ortyxelos meiffrenii) is a member of the Turnicidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Mauritania and Senegal to Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya.

It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 17.6 g, with a wing length of about 7.6 cm and a tail of around 3.5 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 3 million km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Quail-plover?

The Quail-plover is a small bird that weighs around 17.6 g.

Where does the Quail-plover live?

The Quail-plover is found across Africa with a range covering AF Mauritania and Senegal to Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Quail-plover belong to?

The Quail-plover (Ortyxelos meiffrenii) belongs to the Turnicidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Quail-plover eat?

The Quail-plover is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the Quail-plover migrate?

The Quail-plover is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the Quail-plover endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

How large is the Quail-plover's range?

The Quail-plover has a mapped global range of about 3 million km².