Coturnix japonica
Japanese quail

In general, this quail inhabits parts of Russia (Johnsgard 1988) and eastern Asia, including Japan, Korea and China (Hoffmann 1988) as well as India (Finn 1911). It winters in China, southeast Asia, the extreme northwestern coast of Africa, and a subsaharan band north of Congo and including the Nile River valley from Egypt to Kenya. A small population has been found in Angola. Races of this quail are found in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi south to South Africa, Mozambique, and Namibia as well as parts of Madagascar. This quail may breed in parts of Europe, Turkey, and central Asia to parts of China (Alderton 1992).

These quail are seen in grassy fields, on river banks, or in rice fields (Takatsukasa 1941).

The Japanese Quail is similar in appearance to the European Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix. Overall, they are dark brown with buff mottling above and lighter brown underneath. They have a whitish stripe above the eye on the side of the head. Legs are orangish-gray to pinkish-gray as is the beak (Hoffmann 1988). In contrast to the males, females usually (but not always) lack the rufous coloring on the breast and black flecking or markings on the throat (Johnsgard 1988).

There are variations in plumage color. Some birds are whitish to buff with rufous to chestnut mottling above. Others have a very dark brown appearance with little to no mottling. In addition, there have been golden-brown varieties bred in captivity (Hoffmann 1988).

Wing sizes in males and females is similar ranging from 92 to 101 mm. Both male and female have similar sized tails ranging from 35-49 mm in length (Johnsgard 1988).

From studies of captive-bred Japanese quail, seven distinct displays and calls have been recognized in males. Three of the calls were also observed to be uttered by females (Johnsgard 1988). The call of this quail consists of "deep hollow sounds, several times repeated in quick succession" (Finn 1911). The male's call is typically three notes. The female will utter a "long" call which allerts the male to her receptivity to copulate (Johnsgard 1988). In addition, these quail engage in courtship-feeding. The male will hold a small worm in his beak, uttering a soft croaking call. The female approaches the male and takes the small worm to eat. The male then attempts to copulate with the female (Lambert 1970).

This quail and its European counterpart are migratory. Coturnix japonica will migrate to India (Finn 1911), northern Japan and Korea for the summer (Hoffmann 1988). They winter in southeast China, Hainan, Taiwan, and southern Japan. Their migration covers 400-1000 km, which is remarkable for a bird not known for its flying capability (Hoffmann 1988). Overall, their migration route follows a north-south pattern (Johnsgard 1988).

These quail eat many kinds of grass seeds, including pannicum and white millet. Their diet consists of a higher degree of protein than Painted Quail as these quail will eat more small worms and insect larvae. In the summer, they will especially seek and eat a variety of insects and small invertebrates (Johnsgard 1988). In addition, they eat grit, especially egg-laying females (Lambert 1970).

There are no known adverse effects on humans by this bird.

These quail and their eggs provide food for humans (Hoffmann 1988). Japanese Quail are also frequently seen in aviaries.

With its broad breeding range, this quail is considered to be relatively secure in maintaining its populations in natural habitats (Johnsgard 1988).

This quail is closely related to the European Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix. In captivity, these quail will interbreed (Harper 1986) and produce fertile hybrids (Johnsgard 1988). Coturnix japonica has been domesticated since circa the 13th century (Hoffmann 1988). In their natural habitat, Coturnix japonica and C. coturnix have not been found to interbreed in areas where they are sympatric. Although these two forms are considered to be in an intermediate stage of speciation, they still warrant designation as two separate species (Johnsgard 1988).