Turnix nigricollis
Madagascan buttonquail
(Also: Madagascar buttonquail)

Madagascar buttonquail are confined to Madagascar (Ogilvie-Grant, 1889). They have been introduced on Mauritius (since extinct), Reunion, and Iles Glorieuses (Johnsgard, 1991). (Johnsgard, 1991; Ogilvie-Grant, 1889)

Madagascar buttonquail can be found up to 1900 m in elevation in treeless grasslands, some cultivated fields, grassy savannas, open woodlands, and even dense, dry forests. They prefer to frequent areas of their habitat with dark recesses (Johnsgard, 1991). (Johnsgard, 1991)

Females' wings are 81 to 88 mm in length, while the males' wings are 72 to 82 mm long (Johnsgard, 1991). They weigh from 67 to 84 g. As with other buttonquail, the more colorful female has a black chin and throat, and there are rufous feathers covering the areas on the chest and breast just beyond the upper wings (Ogilvie-Grant, 1889; Johnsgard, 1991). The crown is brownish with small flecks of white, the forehead is barred in black with white, and the sides of the face are white tipped in black. Just below the beak, a white stripe extends down both sides of the throat. The back of the head is a dark gray, and the upper back and wings are blackish, barred in rufous, and edged in buff. The primary coverts are blackish-brown, edged in buff. The mid-wing coverts are rufous, flecked with black, and have irregular black and white spots mostly on the lower edge of the feather. The lower back, rump, and upper tail coverts are a brownish-gray with rufous mottling and wavy black bars. There may be terminal, marginal buff spots. The mid-chest, breast and abdomen are a lightish-gray to whitish color (Johnsgard, 1991).

The male is similar in coloration but lacks the chin and upper chest markings. Instead, his chin and mid-throat region are white, and his upper to mid-chest region are buff with black bars. In addition, his forehead feathers are edged in a wide margin of buff (Johnsgard, 1991). (Johnsgard, 1991; Ogilvie-Grant, 1889)

All buttonquail are polyandrous.

Breeding occurs in December and January. During egg-laying, the female will walk about and utter a "pairing note" which becomes louder and louder. The nest is a scrape on the ground. One nest was found to be constructed of moss with a 20 cm tunnel which led to the scrape on the ground. Another nest was found to have a tunnel of ribbon grass and moss 30 cm long. A clutch consists of two to four eggs which are 5 to 8 g in weight and 26.8 by 19.8 mm in length. While the female patrols the pair's territory, the male incubates the eggs for 13 to 16 days. (Johnsgard, 1991)

While the female patrols the pair's territory, the male incubates the eggs for 13 to 16 days. Initially the male cares for the chicks, however, within a week the female also takes part in caring for the young. (Johnsgard, 1991)

We do not have information on lifespan/longevity for this species at this time.

Madagascar buttonquail occur singly or in groups of up to four individuals. (Johnsgard, 1991)

We do not have information on home range for this species at this time. (Johnsgard, 1991)

During egg-laying, the female will walk about and utter a "pairing note" which becomes louder and louder. (Johnsgard, 1991)

In their varied habitats, these buttonquail eat grass seeds and other available weed seeds. (Johnsgard, 1991)

We do not have information on predation for this species at this time.

Madagascar buttonquail have an impact on the plants whose seeds they eat.

By consuming weed seeds, this buttonquail may aid in eliminating unwanted plants.

There are no known adverse affects of Madagascar buttonquail on humans.

Few records exist of populations from the eastern, western, or northern parts of Madagascar. However, since this bird lives in a wide variety of habitats, it is thought to be common. (Johnsgard, 1991)

Madagascar buttonquail were first bred in captivity in 1913. (Hopkinson, 1926)