By Janice Pappas
Geographic Range
In Africa, these quail range from Sierra Leone to Ethiopia south to Zambia, Cape Province, and Natal (Rutgers and Norris, 1970; Johnsgard, 1988), then eastward to Kenya (Jackson, 1926). They are absent from the Congo basin and other dry areas (Rutgers and Norris, 1970; Johnsgard, 1988). These quail are considered to be partially migratory (Jackson, 1926; Clancy, 1967). (Clancy, 1967; Jackson, 1926; Johnsgard, 1988; Rutgers and Norris, 1970)
Habitat
African blue quail inhabit terrestrial grasslands and cultivated areas (Jackson, 1926) in tropical regions. Specifically, they occur in pairs in lush grasses bordering rivers (Clancy, 1967), wet grassy or marshy areas (Johnsgard, 1988), grassy plains and meadows, and weedy cover in fallow cultivated fields and gardens (Clancy, 1967). (Clancy, 1967; Jackson, 1926; Johnsgard, 1988)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
tropical 
; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
savanna or grassland .
Wetlands: marsh .
Other:
agricultural .
Physical Description
(1.51 to 1.55 oz; avg. 1.53 oz)
(5.51 to 6.5 in)
African blue quail are 14 to 16.5 cm in length. Wing length for males is 78 to 82 mm and 80 to 84 mm for females. Tail length is 26 to 32 mm and 29 to 31 mm for males and females, respectively (Clancy, 1967; Johnsgard, 1988).
In general, these quail closely resemble Coturnix chinensis, except that the male lacks the chestnut coloring underneath, and the female lacks the heavier black barring on the wing coverts (Johnsgard, 1988). The male has a brown head, cheeks and side of his head (Rutgers and Norris, 1970). A distinctive bluish color is evident when the male is flushed from cover. As with C. chinensis, the female lacks the white and black throat markings, gray underneath, and chestnut coloring on the flanks (Johnsgard, 1988). (Clancy, 1967; Johnsgard, 1988; Rutgers and Norris, 1970)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Sexual dimorphism: sexes colored or patterned differently.
Reproduction
December to July
We do not have information on the mating system for this species at this time.
The breeding season occurs during a prolonged period of time, depending on temperature and rainfall patterns (Johnsgard, 1988). For example, in South Africa, the breeding season is December to April (Jackson, 1926; Johnsgard, 1988), whereas it is from May to July in Uganda (Johnsgard, 1988).
The nest consists of a scrape on the ground in weeds or grass lined with a bit of grass leaves or roots (Clancy, 1967). Clutches are from six (Jackson, 1926) to nine eggs that are olive-green or pale yellowish-brown and are unspotted and rough in texture. The thick-shelled eggs are 24 to 29 mm long by 19 to 21 mm wide (Clancy, 1967). They weigh approximately 4.5 g. Incubation time is 16 days (Johnsgard, 1988). (Clancy, 1967; Jackson, 1926; Johnsgard, 1988)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (internal ); oviparous .
Incubation time is 16 days. Chicks are precocial and are cared for by both parents and remain in the family group until they can fly. (Johnsgard, 1988)
Parental investment:
no parental involvement; precocial ; pre-fertilization; pre-hatching/birth (protecting); pre-weaning/fledging (provisioning: male, female).
Lifespan/Longevity
We do not have information on the lifespan of this species at this time.
Behavior
African blue quail have fast and direct flight. They are difficult to flush from cover (Clancy, 1967). These quail are not territorial (Johnsgard, 1988) and are considered to be partially migratory (Jackson, 1926; Clancy, 1967). (Clancy, 1967; Jackson, 1926; Johnsgard, 1988)
Home Range
We do not have information on the home range for this species at this time.
Communication and Perception
During the breeding season, the call of the male is a three note piping whistle, where the notes descend in scale. The first note is shrill and the last two notes are softer in tone. When flushed from cover, a squeaky three-note call is uttered (Clancy, 1967). (Clancy, 1967)
Communicates with:
acoustic .
Food Habits
These quail feed on a variety of grass and weed seeds, green vegetation, insects (Jackson, 1926; Johnsgard, 1988), and small land mollusks (Clancy, 1967; Johnsgard, 1988). These quail become fat after extensive eating in preparation for migration (Jackson, 1926). (Clancy, 1967; Jackson, 1926; Johnsgard, 1988)
Primary Diet:
omnivore .
Animal Foods:
insects; mollusks.
Plant Foods:
leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts.
Predation
We do not have information on predation for this species at this time.
Ecosystem Roles
These quail affect the insect and plant popluations they feed on.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There are no known adverse affects of these quail on humans.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
African blue quail provide food for humans in Africa and are sometimes kept in aviaries.
Conservation Status
African blue quail have not been listed by either the IUCN or CITES.
Other Comments
These quail are closely related to Coturnix chinensis (Johnsgard, 1988). (Johnsgard, 1988)
Contributors
Janice Pappas (author), University of Michigan.
Alaine Camfield (editor), Animal Diversity Web.
