Andalusian Hemipode

Scientific name:

Turnix sylvatica

Status:

Resident, rare.

Voice:

At dawn female gives deep “hoo hoo hoo” resembling distant cattle.

Length:

It lies in between 15-16 cm.

Wingspan:

It ranges in between 25-30 cm.

Habitat:

Dry, sandy areas with grass and scattered bushes.

Behaviour:

Very elusive, flies only short distance if flushed.

Physical appearance:

Small, secretive, quail-like bird with rusty-red breast and boldly black-spotted flanks. Crown is brown and finely barred, and has a creamy stripe, upperparts brown with darker brown bars and cream streaks. Female more strikingly marked than male, with overall browner colouring.

Juvenile:

Juvenile very similar to male, but at close range shows more spots on the chest and white spots on the upperparts.