A small ground-dwelling bird that is part of the Old World quail family. They are native to Australia, Southeast Asia, and parts of South Asia and are also known as the Blue-breasted quail, Asian Blue quail, and Chinese Painted quail. King quails have become popular birds in aviculture due to their colorful plumage and manageable size.
Males of this species are particularly striking with their vivid coloration. They typically have rich chestnut-brown plumage with a blue-bronze breast and a white face mask, which contrasts with the more cryptically colored females. The females are usually a uniform brown tone, providing them with excellent camouflage against the forest floor where they forage and nest. This dimorphism is common in many bird species, where males are more brightly colored to attract females and compete with other males, while females remain inconspicuous to protect themselves and their nests from predators.
Selective breeding in captivity has led to the development of various color mutations, including silver, gold, and pied varieties. This selective breeding does not only aim for aesthetic purposes but sometimes to study genetics and the inheritance of certain traits.
King quails are ground dwellers, preferring habitats with dense grass or undergrowth where they can find cover from predators. Despite having the ability to fly, they are predominantly terrestrial birds that will take flight only as a last resort to escape danger. Their flight is typically short and erratic, which helps them quickly vanish into dense vegetation.
While King quails have a relatively long lifespan in captivity, with proper care, they can live from 3 to 6 years, and sometimes as long as 13 years. However, in the wild, their lifespan is considerably shorter, averaging around 1.5 years due to predation and environmental pressures.
Distribution
Australia
Brunei
Cambodia
China
East Timor
Guam
India
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
Nepal
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Thailand
VietnamAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
