Rhynchortyx cinctus
The Tawny-faced Quail (Rhynchortyx cinctus) is a remarkably secretive and distinct New World quail, an avian jewel of the humid neotropical forests. Measuring approximately 18-22 cm (7-8.7 inches) in length and weighing 140-180 grams (5-6.3 oz), this robust ground-dweller is characterized by its striking sexually dimorphic plumage. Males boast a bright tawny face and throat, contrasting sharply with a dark crown, dark brown upperparts, and boldly barred black and white flanks, while females e...
This quail primarily inhabits dense undergrowth of humid lowland and foothills evergreen forests, often near water, ranging from sea level up to approximately 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) in elevation.
Their diet consists mainly of insects (beetles, ants, termites) and their larvae, as well as seeds, berries, and small fruits gleaned from the forest floor. They primarily forage by scratching and pecking through leaf litter.
Tawny-faced Quails are predominantly diurnal but notoriously secretive, spending most of their time hidden within dense forest undergrowth. They forage by scratching vigorously through leaf litter with their strong legs, typically in pairs or small family groups, often remaining motionless when d...
The Tawny-faced Quail has a fragmented distribution across Central and South America. Its primary range extends from the humid lowland and foothills evergreen forests of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, southward through western Colombia, and into northwestern Ecuador. It is primarily found alo...
Least Concern
- The Tawny-faced Quail is the sole member of its genus, Rhynchortyx, making it a unique evolutionary lineage among New World Quails. - Despite its striking plumage, it is one of the most difficult quails to observe in the wild due to its extreme shyness and preference for dense undergrowth. - It...