Geographic Range
New Zealand quail were the only quail endemic to New Zealand (Alderton, 1992) and
they are now extinct (Brooks, 2000).
- Biogeographic Regions
- oceanic islands
- Other Geographic Terms
- island endemic
Habitat
These quail were terrestrial, temperate species that inhabited grasslands (Johnsgard,
1988) and perhaps lowland tussock grassland and open fernlands (Madge and McGowan,
2002).
- Habitat Regions
- temperate
- terrestrial
- Terrestrial Biomes
- savanna or grassland
Physical Description
New Zealand quail were 17.5 (Alderton, 1992) to 22 cm (Madge and McGowan, 2002) long and weighed 200 to 220 g. Measurements of two males showed wing lengths of 118 and 122 mm, tail lengths of 45 and 47 mm and a tarsal length of 23 mm. For one female specimen, wing length was 119 mm and for two female specimens, tail lengths were 42 and 43 mm and tarsal lengths were 23 and 28 mm (Madge and McGowan, 2002).
New Zealand quail were a dark brownish color above with buff to cream-colored vertical
markings on each feather covering the back and upper parts of the wings. The wing
primaries were edged in a golden buff. The breast and abdomen of the male were buff
with heavy markings of dark brown to black. The female had a buff breast and abdomen
with feathers edged in a dark brown. For the male, an orangish-light rufous color
covered the area around the eye extending down the side of the face and the front
of the throat. For the female, this area was a light buff color with a darker buff
surrounding the eye. Both males and females had a brown crown and a whitish strip
extending from the beak over the eye to the back of the neck (Alderton, 1992). New
Zealand quail on the North Island may have been darker overall than those on the South
Island, however, with few specimen available it is difficult to determine the range
of morphological variation. Juveniles were similar in color to females, but had more
pale coloration on their underparts (Madge and McGowan, 2002).
- Other Physical Features
- endothermic
- bilateral symmetry
- Sexual Dimorphism
- sexes colored or patterned differently
Reproduction
We do not have information on the mating system of New Zealand quail, however, given
that a family of nine quail that were shot and killed consisted of an adult male,
an adult female, and seven young, it is posible that they were monogamous.
New Zealand quail nests were shallow scrapes in the ground with grass lining. Ten
to twelve eggs were laid per clutch, and incubation time was 21 days. The eggs were
a buff color with dark brown blotches or a whitish-yellow color with smudged brown
spots. With respect to the breeding season, young were seen as late as April on the
South Island (Madge and McGowan, 2002).
- Key Reproductive Features
- iteroparous
- gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
- sexual
- fertilization
- oviparous
We do not have information on parental care for this species, however, given that
a family of nine quail that were shot and killed consisted of an adult male, an adult
female, and seven young, it is likely that there was both male and female parental
care. Chicks were precocial.
- Parental Investment
- no parental involvement
- precocial
- pre-fertilization
Lifespan/Longevity
We do not have information on the lifespan/longevity of this species at this time.
Behavior
We do not have information on the behavior of this species at this time.
- Key Behaviors
- flies
- motile
Home Range
We do not have informaton on the home range of this species at this time.
Communication and Perception
Male New Zealand quail uttered an advertisement call described as "twit-twit-twit-twee-twit,"
that was repeated in rapid succession (Madge and McGowan, 2002).
- Communication Channels
- acoustic
Food Habits
New Zealand quail foraged on the ground in search of seeds (Johnsgard, 1988). Stomach
contents of dead quail had green grass leaves as well as seed (Madge and McGowan,
2002).
- Plant Foods
- leaves
- seeds, grains, and nuts
Predation
We do not have information on predation for this species at this time.
Ecosystem Roles
New Zealand quail had an impact on the plants they consumed.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
New Zealand quail were hunted and eaten as food (Alderton, 1992).
- Positive Impacts
- food
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There are no known adverse affects of New Zealand quail on humans.
Conservation Status
The extinction of New Zealand quail is thought to have been caused by the appearance
of diseases from introduced game birds. They were also heavily hunted and their numbers
declined in the 1850's. This species of
Coturnix
became extinct in 1875 (Alderton, 1992; Brooks, 2000).
Other Comments
New Zealand quail were closely related to pectoral or stubble quail,
Coturnix pectoralis
(Johnsgard, 1988; Madge and McGowan, 2002).
Additional Links
Contributors
Alaine Camfield (editor), Animal Diversity Web.
Janice Pappas (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
- oceanic islands
-
islands that are not part of continental shelf areas, they are not, and have never been, connected to a continental land mass, most typically these are volcanic islands.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- island endemic
-
animals that live only on an island or set of islands.
- temperate
-
that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).
- terrestrial
-
Living on the ground.
- tropical savanna and grassland
-
A terrestrial biome. Savannas are grasslands with scattered individual trees that do not form a closed canopy. Extensive savannas are found in parts of subtropical and tropical Africa and South America, and in Australia.
- savanna
-
A grassland with scattered trees or scattered clumps of trees, a type of community intermediate between grassland and forest. See also Tropical savanna and grassland biome.
- temperate grassland
-
A terrestrial biome found in temperate latitudes (>23.5° N or S latitude). Vegetation is made up mostly of grasses, the height and species diversity of which depend largely on the amount of moisture available. Fire and grazing are important in the long-term maintenance of grasslands.
- iteroparous
-
offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).
- sexual
-
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
- fertilization
-
union of egg and spermatozoan
- internal fertilization
-
fertilization takes place within the female's body
- oviparous
-
reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.
- young precocial
-
young are relatively well-developed when born
- motile
-
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
- acoustic
-
uses sound to communicate
- food
-
A substance that provides both nutrients and energy to a living thing.
- herbivore
-
An animal that eats mainly plants or parts of plants.
- folivore
-
an animal that mainly eats leaves.
- granivore
-
an animal that mainly eats seeds
- endothermic
-
animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.
- bilateral symmetry
-
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
- visual
-
uses sight to communicate
- tactile
-
uses touch to communicate
- acoustic
-
uses sound to communicate
- chemical
-
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
References
Alderton, D. 1992. The Atlas of Quails . Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications.
Brooks, T. 2000. "Coturnix novaezelandiae. In: IUCN 2003. 2003 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species." (On-line). Accessed 12/03/03 at http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=5451 .
Johnsgard, P. 1988. The Quails, Partridges, and Francolins of the World . Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Madge, S., P. McGowan. 2002. Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse: A Guide to the Pheasants, Partridges, Quails, Grouse, Guineafowl, Buttonquails and Sandgrouse of the World . London: Christopher Helm.