Harlequin quail

Scientific name: Coturnix delegorguei

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Males display striking black-and-white facial markings with chestnut underparts and dark upperparts; females are duller brown with buff spotting and lack bold face patterns. Both sexes are compact and round-bodied, smaller than domestic chickens.

Size and weight

Males 16–18 cm, 90–110 g; females 15–17 cm, 85–105 g.

Habitat

Harlequin quail inhabits open grasslands, scrubland, and cultivated fields in highland regions, typically between 1,500–3,000 m elevation. They prefer areas with scattered cover and short vegetation allowing ground movement.

Distribution

Endemic to highland plateaus of Ethiopia and adjacent highlands; range restricted to Afromontane grasslands above 1,500 m with preference for undisturbed open terrain.

Diet

Feed primarily on grass seeds and small grains; insects (termites, beetles, grasshoppers) are taken seasonally, especially during breeding.

Behaviour

Predominantly terrestrial and crepuscular; pairs or small groups move quietly through grassland at dawn and dusk. They flush reluctantly and prefer running to flight, freezing when alarmed.

Hunting tips

Look for shallow scrapes in bare ground and fine droppings along grass margins. Approach into the wind over open ground, moving slowly during early morning or late afternoon. Use gentle flushing pressure through grass patches; birds often hold tight before bursting upward at short range in unpredictable directions.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 5 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.