Asian Blue Quail
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| Coturnix chinensis Linnaeus, 1766 |
The Asian Blue Quail, Coturnix chinensis also known as Chinese Painted Quail, King Quail or Blue-breasted Quail is in the same family as the pheasants Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.
This species is the smallest "true quail" and is quite common in aviculture worldwide. In the wild they range from southeastern Asia to Oceania with 10 different subspecies. It sometimes goes by the name "Button Quail", though this name properly refers to similar-looking but distantly related birds of the genus Turnix.
[edit] Aviculture
This quail has become very popular to keep and breed. Numerous mutations have been developed. They are quite hardy once they have adjusted to their surroundings and will keep the bottom of an aviary spotless. The cost of purchasing and maintaining them is very little. They are hyperactive breeders and reproduce at an incredible rate. A female will lay an egg a day if kept on the proper diet. She will make a soft "crowing" noise to attract a mate. These quail take up only a small amount of time to feed and water. They need only about a two foot long cage to breed successfully, but three times the space is needed for them to really thrive and to avoid fights. Their eggs can be easily and successfully incubated. In some cases they have been known to become hand-tamed.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Coturnix chinensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
[edit] External links
- BirdLife Species Factsheet
- IUCN Red List
- ITIS Standard Report Page: Coturnix chinensis taxonomic details (includes subspecies)
- Information on keeping and breeding the Chinese Painted Quail and its mutations
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Categories: Least Concern species | Coturnix | Birds of New Guinea | Birds of Western Australia | Birds of Australia | Birds of Asia | Birds of Southeast Asia | Birds of Brunei | Birds of Cambodia | Birds of China | Birds of India | Birds of Indonesia | Birds of Laos | Birds of Malaysia | Birds of Myanmar | Birds of Nepal | Birds of Papua New Guinea | Birds of the Philippines | Birds of Sri Lanka | Birds of Singapore | Birds of Taiwan | Birds of Thailand | Birds of Vietnam | Galliformes stubs
