Japanese Quail, 11/2/2012

This one unexpectedly came into my sight when I was searching for birds along the mid-level trail at YehLiu GeoPark in the morning of November 1, 2012. It jumped down the trail from uphill first, walked slowly across the trail, and then disappeared into the woods downhill. It was so unexpected that I could only take two pictures of it, all without correct focus. Judging from its look, I knew its something I hadn't seen before. So I waited....waited.....and waited, but it didn't show up again. Later I met a senior birding friend and asked him what the name of the bird is. He told me it's Japanese Quail and asked me where I photographed the bird, with a surprised look. I gave him my answer and went to other places to search for birds. That afternoon when I went back to the place where I met the bird, it was jammed by well-equipped birding fans already, waiting for the Japanese Quail to show up again. I was unable to find a foothold to take photos.

Next day when I went back to the same place. It was again jammed with birding fans. I managed to squeeze through the crowd and took only two clear pictures. Those pictures were the best I could get that day. Hope you enjoy them. Have fun! Thanks for visiting.

Later for over one week, that bird had become the major target of birding fans coming from as far as southern Taiwan.



Raising Quails has long become a mature business in the world. For those breeding in Japan, the Quails are called Japanese Quails. There are many kinds of breeds in Japan, China and Taiwan. All of them are raised for only one purpose, i.e., to lay eggs. For those raised in Europe, the Quails are one of the meat sources.



It is said Quails are low fat, high protein and high vitamin food sources. Especially, they contain brain nourishing substances and lecithin, which are substantial nutrition for high level nuero-activities. Quails are also low in cholesterol, lower than chicken meat and egg.



video recorded at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/2/2012

Chinese name:	日本鵪鶉
English name:	Japanese Quail
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Coturnix japonica
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Phasianidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Near Threatened
Migration status:	Disoriented bird
Frequency of appearance:	Rare in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, cereals
Habitat:	Bushes, brushwoods, farm fields
Altitude:	Low altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone or in pair
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 20 cm long. Bill is gray. Feet are light yellowish brown. Tail is very short. At first glance, its upperpart is mainly dark brown, its underpart is mainly light yellowish brown, and it looks like there are several thin or wide white lines running from head top to tail and from breast to belly. When examined in detail, these thin or wide white lines are formed by a series of spear-like lines lined up one after another. Its rear neck, back and wings are covered with horizontal brown or black stains. Its underpart is covered with horizontal light brown stains as well. The stains near the throat is darker. For males, its face, cheek and throat are reddish brown. Its eyebrow stripe is white and is very long. And there are three vertical wide dark brown lines on its side neck. For females, its cheek and throat are grayish white. Summer Plumage: Winter Plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	Southeastern Russia, northeastern China, northeastern Mongolia, Japan.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in India, Bhutan, southeastern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao, Viet Nam, Korean Peninsula, etc.
Time photographed:	11/2/2012
Location found:	YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes: