Odontophorus balliviani
The Stripe-faced Wood Quail (Odontophorus balliviani) is a small, chunky gamebird measuring approximately 25-29 cm in length, characterized by its predominantly dark rufous-brown plumage. Its most distinctive field marks are the prominent white supercilium (stripe above the eye) and a striking white subocular stripe that extends down the side of the neck, creating a 'stripe-faced' appearance. The crown is dark brown, contrasting with a greyish throat finely streaked with white, and a rich ruf...
Found in humid montane evergreen forests (cloud forests) with dense undergrowth, often near bamboo thickets. Typically occurs at elevations between 1,500 and 3,350 meters.
Feeds primarily on invertebrates such as insects, larvae, and worms, supplemented with fallen fruits, berries, seeds, and other plant matter. Forages by scratching in leaf litter.
The Stripe-faced Wood Quail is a highly secretive and terrestrial bird, spending most of its time foraging on the forest floor during daylight hours. It is primarily identified by its characteristic vocalizations, particularly its loud, synchronized duets, which are most frequently heard at dawn ...
The Stripe-faced Wood Quail is resident across a restricted range in the humid montane forests of southeastern Peru and west-central Bolivia. In Peru, its distribution includes the departments of Puno, Cusco, and Madre de Dios. Its Bolivian range spans the departments of La Paz, Cochabamba, and S...
Least Concern
- The 'Stripe-faced' moniker refers not only to its facial markings but also metaphorically to its incredibly distinctive and complex vocalizations, which are often the only indication of its presence. - Its duets are so perfectly synchronized between the male and female that they often sound lik...