Starred Wood-Quail (Odontophorus stellatus)

Identification & Behavior: ~25.3 cm (10 in). The Starred Wood-Quail has an ornate back in shades of gray and brown. The underparts are reddish brown with white spots on the breast and wing coverts (stars). It forages on the forest floor where it is found in family groups. When encountered, it gives a conversational warble among flock members. Best distinguished from Marbled Wood-Quail by reddish underparts with white spots on the breast and wing coverts (stars).

Status: The Starred Wood-Quail occurs in lowland Amazonia where it is found mostly below 1000 m.  It is found only on the South side of the Amazon, Marañon, and west of the Pastaza Rivers. Uncommon to rare. More often heard than seen. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, Ch.

Name in Spanish: Codorniz Estrellada.

Sub-species: Starred Wood-Quail (Odontophorus stellatus) (Gould, 1843).

Meaning of Name:  Odontophorus: Gr. Bearing teeth. stellatus: L. stellata= starred, bearing stars. A thick and tooth-billed wood-quail that bears stars. It also occurs in Ec, Br, and Bo.

Go to Family Odontophoridae