By Janice Pappas
Geographic Range
New Zealand quail were the only quail endemic to New Zealand (Alderton, 1992) and they are now extinct (Brooks, 2000). (Alderton, 1992; Brooks, 2000)
Biogeographic Regions:
oceanic islands 
(native ).
Other Geographic Terms:
island endemic .
Habitat
These quail were terrestrial, temperate species that inhabited grasslands (Johnsgard, 1988) and perhaps lowland tussock grassland and open fernlands (Madge and McGowan, 2002). (Alderton, 1992; Madge and McGowan, 2002)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
temperate ; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
savanna or grassland .
Physical Description
(7.04 to 7.74 oz; avg. 7.39 oz)
(6.89 to 8.66 in)
New Zealand quail were 17.5 (Alderton, 1992) to 22 cm (Madge and McGowan, 2002) long and weighed 200 to 220 g. Measurements of two males showed wing lengths of 118 and 122 mm, tail lengths of 45 and 47 mm and a tarsal length of 23 mm. For one female specimen, wing length was 119 mm and for two female specimens, tail lengths were 42 and 43 mm and tarsal lengths were 23 and 28 mm (Madge and McGowan, 2002).
New Zealand quail were a dark brownish color above with buff to cream-colored vertical markings on each feather covering the back and upper parts of the wings. The wing primaries were edged in a golden buff. The breast and abdomen of the male were buff with heavy markings of dark brown to black. The female had a buff breast and abdomen with feathers edged in a dark brown. For the male, an orangish-light rufous color covered the area around the eye extending down the side of the face and the front of the throat. For the female, this area was a light buff color with a darker buff surrounding the eye. Both males and females had a brown crown and a whitish strip extending from the beak over the eye to the back of the neck (Alderton, 1992). New Zealand quail on the North Island may have been darker overall than those on the South Island, however, with few specimen available it is difficult to determine the range of morphological variation. Juveniles were similar in color to females, but had more pale coloration on their underparts (Madge and McGowan, 2002). (Alderton, 1992; Madge and McGowan, 2002)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Sexual dimorphism: sexes colored or patterned differently.
Reproduction
We do not have information on the mating system of New Zealand quail, however, given that a family of nine quail that were shot and killed consisted of an adult male, an adult female, and seven young, it is posible that they were monogamous. (Madge and McGowan, 2002)
New Zealand quail nests were shallow scrapes in the ground with grass lining. Ten to twelve eggs were laid per clutch, and incubation time was 21 days. The eggs were a buff color with dark brown blotches or a whitish-yellow color with smudged brown spots. With respect to the breeding season, young were seen as late as April on the South Island (Madge and McGowan, 2002). (Madge and McGowan, 2002)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (internal ); oviparous .
We do not have information on parental care for this species, however, given that a family of nine quail that were shot and killed consisted of an adult male, an adult female, and seven young, it is likely that there was both male and female parental care. Chicks were precocial. (Johnsgard, 1988; Madge and McGowan, 2002)
Parental investment:
no parental involvement; precocial ; pre-fertilization.
Lifespan/Longevity
We do not have information on the lifespan/longevity of this species at this time.
Behavior
We do not have information on the behavior of this species at this time.
Home Range
We do not have informaton on the home range of this species at this time.
Key behaviors:
flies; motile .
Communication and Perception
Male New Zealand quail uttered an advertisement call described as "twit-twit-twit-twee-twit," that was repeated in rapid succession (Madge and McGowan, 2002). (Madge and McGowan, 2002)
Communicates with:
acoustic .
Food Habits
New Zealand quail foraged on the ground in search of seeds (Johnsgard, 1988). Stomach contents of dead quail had green grass leaves as well as seed (Madge and McGowan, 2002). (Johnsgard, 1988; Madge and McGowan, 2002)
Plant Foods:
leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts.
Predation
We do not have information on predation for this species at this time.
Ecosystem Roles
New Zealand quail had an impact on the plants they consumed.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There are no known adverse affects of New Zealand quail on humans.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
New Zealand quail were hunted and eaten as food (Alderton, 1992). (Alderton, 1992)
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
food .
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Extinct.
The extinction of New Zealand quail is thought to have been caused by the appearance of diseases from introduced game birds. They were also heavily hunted and their numbers declined in the 1850's. This species of Coturnix became extinct in 1875 (Alderton, 1992; Brooks, 2000). (Alderton, 1992; Brooks, 2000)
Other Comments
New Zealand quail were closely related to pectoral or stubble quail, Coturnix pectoralis (Johnsgard, 1988; Madge and McGowan, 2002). (Johnsgard, 1988; Madge and McGowan, 2002)
For More Information
Find Coturnix novaezelandiae information at
Contributors
Janice Pappas (author), University of Michigan.
Alaine Camfield (editor), Animal Diversity Web.
