Ocellated quail

Scientific name: Cyrtonyx ocellatus

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Males display distinctive blue-grey plumage on the head and neck with bold white facial markings and a dark breast patch; females are duller brown overall with scaled underparts. Both sexes show characteristic ocelli (eye-spots) on the flanks, giving the species its name.

Size and weight

Males typically weigh 55–75 g with body length 19–21 cm; females are slightly smaller at 50–70 g and 18–20 cm.

Habitat

Ocellated quail inhabit semi-arid grasslands, shrublands, and desert scrub with scattered woody cover. They prefer areas with adequate herbaceous ground cover and are found from sea level to approximately 2,000 m elevation.

Distribution

Endemic to western Mexico, with range concentrated in Sinaloa, Durango, and adjacent states at mid-elevation desert grasslands and foothill scrub zones.

Diet

Ocellated quail forage primarily on grass seeds and small invertebrates, with seasonal preference shifting toward insects and green vegetation during breeding season.

Behaviour

These are ground-dwelling, predominantly terrestrial birds most active during early morning and late afternoon; they typically move in small coveys and rely on running rather than sustained flight to escape threats.

Hunting tips

Search for birds in open grassland near woody cover by scanning for movement or listening for soft contact calls at dawn and dusk. Focus on areas with recent moisture where seed and insect availability is highest. Approach downwind and move slowly through suitable terrain, pausing frequently to glass for birds; when flushed, birds typically run first before flushing short distances.

Whole weight

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

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.

Honduras

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.