Abrolhos painted buttonquail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abrolhos painted buttonquail |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Charadriiformes |
| Family: | Turnicidae |
| Genus: | Turnix |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
T. v. scintillans
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| Trinomial name | |
| Turnix varius scintillans (Gould, 1845)
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The Abrolhos painted buttonquail (Turnix varius scintillans) is a special type of painted buttonquail. It lives only on the Houtman Abrolhos islands off the coast of Western Australia. This small bird is quite common on North Island. You can also find it on other islands in the Wallabi Group, like East Wallabi, West Wallabi, Seagull, and Pigeon Islands.
Contents
Discovering the Abrolhos Buttonquail
First Sighting by Europeans
The first time Europeans officially saw this bird was during the third trip of the ship HMS Beagle. This famous ship was on a journey to explore different parts of the world. On May 22, 1840, the ship's crew landed on North Island.
An Island Full of Quails
John Lort Stokes, who was on the Beagle, wrote about North Island. He said the island was about a mile wide and almost round. It had hills around the edges and a flat area in the middle. This flat area was covered with rough grass. Stokes noted that many quails were seen there, which made for good hunting. Five years later, in 1845, the scientist John Gould officially named and described this subspecies of buttonquail.
Protecting the Abrolhos Buttonquail
Conservation Status
The Abrolhos painted buttonquail is considered a "vulnerable" species. This means it could be at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it. It is listed under Australia's federal laws, called the EPBC Act. It is also protected by Western Australia's Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. These laws help protect animals that are rare or might become extinct.
Why Protection is Important
The islands where these birds live and lay their eggs are very important for nature. They are considered to have a high value for conservation. Protecting these islands helps keep the buttonquail population safe.
Threats to the Buttonquail
Unfortunately, some animals that are not native to the islands have been introduced. These include rats and cats. These introduced animals can be a danger to the buttonquail population. They might eat the birds' eggs or young, or even the adult birds themselves.
Life and Habits of the Buttonquail
Where It Lives
The Abrolhos painted buttonquail prefers to live in areas with sand dunes and flat sandy spots. These places are usually covered with plants like Spinifex, saltbush, and samphire. It tends to stay away from rocky areas made of limestone.
What It Eats
This bird finds its food by scratching around in the loose soil. It looks for insects and seeds. It will also pick up any other small bits of food it can find on the ground.
Breeding and Lifespan
The breeding season for the Abrolhos painted buttonquail is from April to October. When it's time to nest, the bird makes a shallow dip in the loose soil. This nest is usually about ten centimeters wide and two centimeters deep. It's often hidden under plants to keep the eggs safe. These birds become adults and can have their own young when they are about one year old. They can live for up to nine years.
