Photo: Amado Demesa from DF, México / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Singing Quail
Dactylortyx thoracicus
Singing Quail (Dactylortyx thoracicus) — Gamebirds of Central America & Caribbean.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Singing Quail (Dactylortyx thoracicus) is a member of the Odontophoridae family found in Central America & Caribbean. Adults weigh 202 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 Odontophoridae New World Quail
- Genus Dactylortyx
- Species thoracicus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 202 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Odontophoridae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Singing Quail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Singing Quail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Singing Quail (Dactylortyx thoracicus) belongs to the Odontophoridae family of the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across Central America & Caribbean. Its distribution covers MA c Mexico to Honduras.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 202 g, with a wing length of about 12.6 cm and a tail of around 4.3 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 493,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Singing Quail?
The Singing Quail is a large bird that weighs around 202 g.
Where does the Singing Quail live?
The Singing Quail is found across Central America & Caribbean with a range covering MA c Mexico to Honduras, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Singing Quail belong to?
The Singing Quail (Dactylortyx thoracicus) belongs to the Odontophoridae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Singing Quail eat?
The Singing Quail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Singing Quail migrate?
The Singing Quail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Singing 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 Singing Quail make?
1 real field recording of the Singing Quail — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Singing Quail's range?
The Singing Quail has a mapped global range of about 493,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Odontophoridae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Game Birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Extinct
Least Concern