Brown quail
Scientific name: Synoicus ypsilophorus
- How weight is recorded: Whole weight
Field notes
Appearance
Small, earth-toned quail with streaked brown and grey plumage. Males display distinctive black facial markings; females are duller overall.
Size and weight
Males typically 16–18 cm long, weighing 85–120 g; females 75–110 g.
Habitat
Open and semi-open grassland with low scrub, grass cover, and scattered bushes. Inhabits lowland to moderate elevations, typically in drier conditions.
Distribution
Endemic to Australia, restricted to drier grassland and shrubland habitats across suitable range.
Diet
Small seeds from grasses and forbs; insects and small beetles become increasingly important during breeding season.
Behaviour
Diurnal, most active at dawn and dusk. Runs more readily than flies; found in pairs or small flocks outside breeding season.
Hunting tips
Watch for coveys running low through grass or resting in sparse cover. Approach with the wind and move deliberately across open ground. Listen for characteristic calls to pinpoint locations, and work the area methodically in an arc.
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.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.