Turnix ocellatus
spotted buttonquail

Spotted buttonquail are found in and are endemic to Luzon, Phillipines (Finn, 1911; Delacour and Mayr, 1946). Very recently, they were found on Negros Island (Madge and McGowan, 2002). (Delacour and Mayr, 1946; Finn, 1911; Madge and McGowan, 2002)

Spotted buttonquail prefer grasslands with a few scattered bushes and are often found at the edge of ravines. They inhabit lowlands and can be found as high as 1800 m (Delacour and Mayr, 1946) to 2200m (Madge and McGowan, 2002) in areas with with oak and pine forests (Johnsgard, 1991). Turnix ocellatus may also be found in gardens or at the edge of bamboo forests (Madge and McGowan, 2002). (Delacour and Mayr, 1946; Johnsgard, 1991; Madge and McGowan, 2002)

Spotted buttonquail are approximately 17.8 cm in length (Finn, 1911). Wing length ranges from 88 to 102 mm for males and 97 to 111 mm for females. Male tail length ranges from 35 to 41 mm and tarsal length is 27 to 28 mm. For females, tail length is 43 to 46 mm and tarsal length is 28 to 30 mm. The weight of one bird was found to be 110 g (Madge and McGowan, 2002).

The more colorful female is gray-brown with mottled rufous and/or black above, a colored chestnut breast, buff abdomen, and yellow legs and bill (Finn, 1911). There is a chestnut collar across the upper back, whitish streaks on the back (which appear as four longitudinal stripes) and black spots on the wings bordered by buff forming "ocelli" (Delacour and Mayr, 1946). Immature birds have buff breasts with feathers tipped in black (Ogilvie-Grant, 1889). (Delacour and Mayr, 1946; Finn, 1911; Madge and McGowan, 2002; Ogilvie-Grant, 1889)

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

Little is known about the social behavior of these buttonquail (Johnsgard, 1991). There are no known records or data on vocalizations or breeding behavior. Spotted buttonquail will flush from cover very reluctantly. When flushed, they take flight at less than one meter off the ground or run and freeze in place while under new cover. These birds may feed in close proximity to humans without revealing their whereabouts. Spotted buttonquail are considered to be local residents; there are no records of nomadic or migratory behavior (Madge and McGowan, 2002). (Johnsgard, 1991; Madge and McGowan, 2002)

Home Range

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

Little is known about the social behavior of these buttonquail. There are no known records or data on vocalizations. (Johnsgard, 1991)

Spotted buttonquail forage in grassy areas at the edge of forests and on dirt roads in forests. There are no known records of what spotted buttonquail eat. Other buttonquail are omnivorous, eating mainly seeds, some grasses, and insects and their larvae. (Madge and McGowan, 2002)

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

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

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

Spotted buttonquail have been captured and eaten by humans. (Madge and McGowan, 2002)

These buttonquail are rarely seen. They may be common throughout their range since they are known locally and are tolerant of living in close proximity to humans. (Madge and McGowan, 2002)

There is one recognized subspecies of Turnix ocellatus, T. o. benguetensis. (Madge and McGowan, 2002)