Perdiz Santandereana
Gorgeted Wood-quail
Odontophorus strophium
Song
Gorgeted Wood-quail
Appearance: The Gorgeted Wood Quail is a small to medium-sized forest bird with a distinctive appearance. It has a dark gray to brown plumage with a reddish-brown throat and chest, giving it the "gorgeted" or throat-band appearance. They have a short tail and strong legs adapted for ground dwelling.
Habitat: These quails inhabit the dense undergrowth and forest floors of humid montane forests in the Andean region of Colombia and surrounding areas. They prefer areas with thick vegetation cover and are typically found at elevations ranging from 1600 to 2050 meters.
Behavior: Gorgeted Wood-quails are primarily terrestrial birds, spending much of their time foraging on the forest floor for seeds, fruits, and insects. They are shy and elusive, often staying hidden in dense vegetation, making them challenging to observe in the wild. These quails are known for their distinctive calls and vocalizations, which are often used for communication within their social groups.
Breeding: Breeding habits of the Gorgeted Wood-quail are not extensively studied. Like many quail species, they are believed to form monogamous pairs during the breeding season and build their nests on the ground, usually concealed among vegetation.
Conservation Status: The Gorgeted Wood-quail is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN.
Distribution
The Gorgeted Wood-quail is primarily found in the North East Andean region. They are known to inhabit the humid montane forests of the Andes.
Taxonomy
The Gorgeted Wood-quail (Odontophorus strophium)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Galliformes
- Family: Odontophoridae
- Genus: Odontophorus
- Species: Odontophorus strophium
Vocalization
Whistling Calls: Gorgeted Wood-quails are known for their melodious and whistling calls. These calls are often used by individuals to communicate with each other within the group or to maintain social bonds. The whistling calls can vary in tone, pitch, and duration, with each individual bird having a unique vocal signature.
Contact Calls: Contact calls are short, sharp notes or chirps emitted by Gorgeted Wood-quails to stay in touch with other members of their group. These calls help them maintain cohesion within the group while foraging or moving through dense vegetation.
Alarm Calls: When sensing danger or threats, Gorgeted Wood-quails produce alarm calls to alert others in the group. Alarm calls are typically loud, abrupt, and repetitive, signaling the presence of potential predators or disturbances in their surroundings.
Territorial Calls: Gorgeted Wood-quails use territorial calls to establish and defend their territories during the breeding season. These calls are often more complex and can include a series of vocalizations that signal ownership of a particular area within their habitat.
Courtship Calls: During the mating season, male Gorgeted Wood-quails may produce courtship calls to attract females and establish breeding pairs. Courtship calls are typically more elaborate and can involve displays of vocal prowess to demonstrate the male's fitness as a potential mate.
