Bird of the Month: Brown Quail
Posted on 19 June, 2025 by Bonnie Humphreys
Written by Damian Kelly and Jane Rusden
Brown quail is an elusive bird that prefers to skulk rather than fly, but with patience they can be found in their preferred habitat. This species is best summed up as widespread but cryptic. They are actually fairly common around Castlemaine but are not often observed. Preferred habitat includes moister areas along water courses and swampy areas where there is good ground cover with taller grasses. They will venture into woodland but prefer areas with grassy tussocks. They can also be found in cultivated fields such as grain areas feeding on spilled grain and even in potato crops.
Photo by Damian Kelly
They are active during the day and usually move about in small groups on the ground. However their streaked brown colouration blends in with the terrain and they are hard to spot. If surprised they will fly up with a whirring of wings but land quickly in the nearest dense vegetation patch.
Within Australia, Brown Quail can be found right across northern and eastern Australia, south-west Western Australia, Tasmania and some Bass Strait Islands. They are absent from the very dry interior of Australia as they prefer dense grasslands, often on the edges of open forest. Their range also extends north of Australia into Papua-New Guinea and other islands off the northern coast. They have been introduced into New Zealand.
Little is know of their movements but they tend to be resident in wetter areas, whilst movements vary in drier regions depending on moisture. Bird banding records confirm this. Food includes some insects but the seeds of grasses and herbs are the main items in their diet, generally gleaned from the ground and low foliage.
Nesting occurs on the ground in dense foliage usually in a depression in the soil that is lined with grass and leaves. Clutch sizes recorded have ranged from 4-12 eggs. The female does all the incubating but both parents feed and brood the young away from the nest.
This species can sometimes be found with Stubble or King Quail as they share similar habitat preferences. Brown Quail are also captive bred and kept in aviaries. In this situation they are sometimes known to cross-breed with King Quail and produce young.
Brown Quail in a hurry, photo by Damian Kelly
Bird of the Month is a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we take a close look at one special local bird species. We are blessed to have the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing these! We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community.
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