Coturnix novaezelandiae
The New Zealand Quail, *Coturnix novaezelandiae*, was an endemic, ground-dwelling gamebird of New Zealand, unfortunately declared extinct by the late 19th century. Adult males measured approximately 22 cm (8.7 inches) in length and weighed around 220 grams (7.8 oz), characterized by a distinctive rich chestnut-brown plumage heavily streaked with black and buff on the upperparts. Their most striking field mark was a prominent chestnut face with a broad, pale buff supercilium (eyebrow) and a da...
Primarily inhabited open grasslands, tussock, scrublands, and light bracken country, favoring areas with good ground cover. Historically found from lowlands up to sub-alpine elevations.
A generalized omnivore, primarily consuming seeds from native grasses and herbaceous plants, supplemented with green shoots, leaves, and a variety of small insects and their larvae, foraged by gleaning and scratching.
As a ground-dwelling bird, the New Zealand Quail was primarily diurnal, spending its days foraging and its nights roosting in dense ground cover for protection. Its foraging strategy involved scratching at the soil and gleaning seeds, leaves, and small invertebrates from the ground. Males were li...
The New Zealand Quail was historically endemic to the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Its original breeding range encompassed vast areas of open country, particularly native tussock grasslands and scrublands across both major islands. There was no distinct wintering range, as the species ...
Extinct
- The New Zealand Quail was known locally as 'Koreke' by Māori, a name possibly onomatopoeic for its call. - It was one of the most common birds encountered by early European settlers, yet disappeared completely within just 40 years of widespread colonization. - The last confirmed sighting of a N...