Blue-breasted Quail

Blue-breasted Quail

Synoicus chinensis

Least Concern

Aves · Galliformes · Phasianidae

About

The king quail, also known as the blue-breasted quail, Asian blue quail, Chinese painted quail, or Chung-Chi, is a very small, diminutive galliform of the tribe Coturnicini in the subfamily Phasianinae. They are the smallest member in this subfamily and the family Phasianidae, as well as being the smallest and lightest member of the order Galliformes. It is quite common in aviculture worldwide, where it is commonly erroneously referred to as the "button quail", which is the name of an only very distantly related family of birds, the buttonquails. Its voice is a piping whistle, ti-yu or ti-ti-yu. It also gives sharp cheeps or a tir-tir-tir sound when flushed.

Fun Fact

They are the smallest member in this subfamily and the family Phasianidae, as well as being the smallest and lightest member of the order Galliformes.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Range in the wild from southern China, South and Southeast Asia to Oceania, south to southeastern Australia, with 6 identified subspecies.

Diet

Diet of king quail consists of small bugs, grass seeds, rape seeds, and vegetation that is available at the time.

Lifespan

13 years (captivity)

Threats

  • Habitat Change
  • Human Disturbance