Dark-backed Wood-quail
Song
Dark-backed Wood-quail
Appearance: The Dark-backed Wood-quail is a medium-sized bird with a dark olive-brown back, rufous-brown underparts, and a distinct black facial mask. It has a short tail, strong legs, and a large body compared to other quail species. Males and females have similar plumage, with subtle differences in size and coloration.
Habitat: Dark-backed Wood-quails are found in the understory of humid montane forests and cloud forests in the Andes of Colombia. They prefer dense vegetation with thick undergrowth, where they can forage for seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. These birds are secretive and elusive, often staying hidden in the dense foliage.
Behavior: Dark-backed Wood-quails are ground-dwelling birds that forage by scratching leaf litter and soil for food. They are seen in small groups or pairs and can be shy and difficult to observe due to their cryptic plumage and elusive behavior. These birds are known to be vocal, with a repertoire of calls used for communication and territorial purposes.
Breeding: Dark-backed Wood-quails breed during the rainy season from March to June. Courtship displays may involve vocalizations, posturing, and mutual preening between mates. The female builds a nest on the ground, where she lays a small clutch of eggs. Incubation and care of the young are usually shared between the male and female.
Conservation Status: The Dark-backed Wood-quail is classified as "Near Threatened" according to the IUCN.
Distribution
Nariño: Fairly common in humid subtropical forest on the Pacific slopes of Nariño and the Río Patía Valley.
Taxonomy
The Dark-backed Wood-quail (Odontophorus melanonotus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Galliformes
- Family: Odontophoridae
- Genus: Odontophorus
- Species: Odontophorus melanonotus
Vocalization
Song: The vocalization of the Dark-backed Wood-quail is often described as a series of clear, whistled notes that are repeated in a rhythmic pattern. The song is melodic and can vary in pitch and intensity. Males are known to sing to establish territories and attract mates during the breeding season.
Call: In addition to their song, Dark-backed Wood-quails produce various calls that serve different purposes. Their calls can include sharp notes, whistles, and chattering sounds. These calls are used for communication between individuals, signaling alarm, indicating presence, or maintaining contact within a group.
Advertising Calls: Male Dark-backed Wood-quails may use specific advertising calls to announce their presence and defend their territories. These calls are often loud and can carry over long distances, allowing individuals to communicate without visual contact.
Contact Calls: Dark-backed Wood-quails also use contact calls to stay in touch with other members of their group when moving through dense vegetation where visual communication is limited. These calls help maintain cohesion within the group and prevent individuals from getting separated.
Alarm Calls: When threatened or startled, Dark-backed Wood-quails emit sharp, loud alarm calls to warn others of potential danger. These alarm calls can trigger a coordinated response from the group, such as seeking cover or freezing in place to avoid predators.
