Odontophoridae – New World quails
Native to America, having ‘toothed’ bill and lack of tarsal spurs forming their separate family
Smallish Galliformes habituate tropical, subtropical, and temperate zones having short wings, legs, and tails. Some species can tolerate very low temperatures. Species of this family prefer to walk but can run using their powerful but short legs to escape danger; some species also have thick legs for digging. They are shy, diurnal, and ground-living birds. They construct their nests on the grounds.
Diet of these birds generally includes insects, seeds, vegetation and tubers. Some birds in the family are popular game birds like Northern bobwhite and California quail. Hunting of birds has not threatened the species due to rapid increase in population to meet demands. Artificial stocking of birds is also common.
Genera in this family
The dramatic head plume sticks straight when alert or agitated (it’s not a wifi router, guys)