Barred Buttonquail foraging

“These Barred Buttonquail ((Turnix suscitator atrogularis) are often seen but hard to observe for prolonged periods. Was out with my wife, just wandering around when we saw a pair on an overgrown path (there were actually three as we found out later). [Above is the pair, female with black throat on the left, male without on the right]. We decided to stay in our vehicle and watch. They slowly ambled towards us, foraging along the way, until they were just outside my wife’s side of the car. Was good to be able to watch for an extended period. Managed to get some images and videos (below).

“The male, quite timid compared to female who came closer a number of times during the encounter, can look different in different body postures. The rear view of the female shows lovely blue purple on tail feathers I have not had a chance to see before. …Not exactly sure what they feed on, but appeared to be animal prey (small insects?). Was happy to share feeding space with Peaceful Doves.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
7th November 2011

Location: Ex-mining pools, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Over paths near limestone hills

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Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

3 Responses

  1. Gretchen

    Very nice video! It’s great to watch them foraging and even doing a little preening. It surprises me that the male was more secretive – not what I would have expected. By the way do you know what bird was calling loudly in the early part of the video? (I’m quite poor at bird calls, and don’t know if this one is obvious or difficult to identify.)

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