Japanese Quail
A species of Typical Old World Quails, Also known as Domestic Quail Scientific name : Coturnix japonica Genus : Typical Old World Quails
Japanese Quail, A species of Typical Old World Quails
Also known as:
Domestic Quail
Botanical name: Coturnix japonica
Genus: Typical Old World Quails
Content
Description General Info
Description
The morphology of the Japanese quail differs depending on its stage in life. As chicks, both male and female individuals exhibit the same kind of plumage and coloring. Their heads are tawny in color, with small black patches littering the area above the beak. The wings and the back of the chick are a pale brown, the back also having four brown stripes running along its length. A pale yellow-brown stripe surrounded by smaller black stripes runs down the top of the head. The plumage of the Japanese quail is sexually dimorphic, allowing for differing sexes to be distinguished from one another. Both male and female adults exhibit predominantly brown plumage. However, markings on the throat and breast, as well as the particular shade of brown of the plumage, can vary quite a bit. The breast feathers of females are littered with dark spots among generally pale feathers. Contrastingly, male breast feathers show off a uniform dark reddish-brown color that is devoid of any dark spots. This reddish-brown coloration also appears in the male cheek, while female cheek feathers are more cream colored. Some males also exhibit the formation of a white collar, whereas this does not occur in any female members of the species. It is important to note that while this coloration is very typical of wild populations of Coturnix japonica, domestication and selective breeding of this species has resulted in numerous different strains exhibiting a variety of plumage colors and patterns. Most of the strains are sexually dimorphic, however, there are some that can not be distinguished on the basis of plumage colouration, these include Texas A&M, English white, tuxedo and others . Males tend to be smaller than females. Wild adults weigh between 90 and 100 grams while their domesticated counterparts typically weigh between 100 and 120 grams. However, weight among domesticated lines varies considerably, as commercial strains bred for meat production can weigh up to 300 grams. Compared to the common quail the Japanese quail has darker upperparts with more contrast and is deeper rufous below. In the breeding season the male of the Japanese quail has distinctive rufous throat feathers. These are replaced by long pale feathers in the non-breeding season. This plumage feature is not observed in the common quail. 
Size
13 - 23 cm
Life Expectancy
6 years
Nest Placement
Ground
Feeding Habits
Japanese Quail, a ground feeder, primarily consumes a wide range of seeds, leaves, and various invertebrates. This diet is complemented by unique foraging behaviors, where the bird actively scratches the soil surface to uncover food.
Habitat
Japanese Quail typically thrives in open habitats such as damp meadows, grasslands, steppes, and dry mountain areas in proximity to water sources. While japanese Quail can be found across various elevations, sightings range from low altitudes in Japan up to high mountainous regions around 2800–3000 meters in Bhutan. Japanese Quail is also known to occupy agricultural lands, showcasing its adaptability to various open landscapes across broader geographic regions.
Dite type
Omnivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Behavior
Normally, the Japanese quail has been considered to possess an underdeveloped sense of taste, this being evidenced by their inability to distinguish different kinds of carbohydrates presented to them. However, studies have shown that a limited ability to taste is indeed present. Evidence for this includes quail individuals exhibiting preferential choice of sucrose-containing solutions over simple distilled water and the avoidance of salty solutions. Though the Japanese quail possesses an olfactory epithelium, little is known about its ability to sense smell. Despite this, certain studies have revealed that these birds are able to detect certain substances using only their sense of smell. For example, they have been reported to be able to detect the presence of certain pesticides, as well as avoid food containing a toxic chemical called lectin, using only the sense of smell. Through nasolateral conversion of the eyes, the Japanese quail is able to achieve frontal overlap of the eye fields. Long distance perception occurs with a binocular field accommodation. In order to maintain focus on a certain object while walking, the quail will exhibit corresponding head movements. The Japanese quail has also been shown to possess color vision, its perception of color being greater than that of form or shape. Not much is known about Coturnix japonica hearing; however, it has been shown to be able to distinguish between various human phonetic categories. This quail species is also an avid dust bather, individuals undergoing numerous bouts of dust bathing each day. When dust bathing, this bird will rake its bill and legs across the ground in order to loosen up the ground, and then use its wings to toss the dust into the air. As the dust falls back down to the ground around the bird, it will shake its body and ruffle its feathers to ensure they receive a thorough coating. This behavior is believed to function in such things as simple feather maintenance and parasite removal.
Distribution Area
Populations of the Japanese quail are known to mainly inhabit East Asia and Russia. This includes India, Korea, Japan, and China. Though several resident populations of this quail have been shown to winter in Japan, most migrate south to areas such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and southern China. This quail has also been found to reside in many parts of Africa, including Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, Namibia, Madagascar, and the area of the Nile River Valley extending from Kenya to Egypt. Breeding sites of the Japanese quail are largely localized to East and Central Asia, in such areas as Manchuria, southeastern Siberia, northern Japan, and the Korean Peninsula. However, it has also been observed to breed in some regions of Europe, as well as Turkey. The Japanese quail is primarily a ground-living species that tends to stay within areas of dense vegetation in order to take cover and evade predation. Thus, its natural habitats include grassy fields, bushes along the banks of rivers, and agricultural fields that have been planted with crops such as oats, rice, and barley. It has also been reported to prefer open habitats such as steppes, meadows, and mountain slopes near a water source.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Family
Phasianidae Genus
Typical Old World Quails Species
Japanese Quail 
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