Buttonquails as diminutive versions of flightless giants

by | Mar 10, 2016 | Site Content

Turnix sylvaticus photo © Dr. Raju Kasambe
Buttonquails as diminutive versions of flightless giants

Although unrelated to ostriches or emus, the buttonquails of Africa, Asia and Australasia are scaled-down representatives of the same life-strategy.  Buttonquails seldom exercise their ability to fly; the female produces one clutch after another while delegating incubation and rearing of offspring to a series of male partners; and the brain is so small that survival depends on extremely rapid growth from hatching to adulthood.

Robin and the Honey Badger, 22 August 2016

 

Photographs:
Buttonquail
Buttonquail
Buttonquail