Snow Mountain quail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Snow Mountain quail |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Illustration of female and male (in front) | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Synoicus
|
| Species: |
monorthonyx
|
 |
|
| range in Papua, Indonesia | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Anurophasis monorthonyx van Oort, 1910 |
|
The Snow Mountain quail (Synoicus monorthonyx) is a small, dark brown bird that lives in the high mountains. It's about 28 centimeters (11 inches) long. This quail is special because it lives in very cold, grassy areas high up in the mountains.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The Snow Mountain quail has feathers that are mostly dark brown with interesting patterns. It has a pale yellow beak and yellow legs. Its eyes are brown. Female quails have lighter, whitish feathers on their underside with clearer black stripes compared to the males.
Home in the Mountains
This quail lives only in the highest parts of Western New Guinea. You can find it in the Snow Mountains and Star Mountains. This bird is not very well known. It is protected mostly because its home is so remote. It lives in areas that are hard to reach. These areas are very high up, between 3,000 and 4,200 meters (about 9,800 to 13,800 feet) above sea level.
Life Cycle and Diet
The female Snow Mountain quail usually lays up to three eggs. These eggs are pale brown with dark spots. She makes her nest in a small hollow under the edge of a clump of tussock grass. The quail's diet is mostly made up of seeds, flowers, leaves, and other plant parts.
Protecting the Snow Mountain Quail
Because the Snow Mountain quail lives in a small area, and parts of its habitat are becoming easier for people to reach, it is considered "near threatened". This means it could become endangered in the future if we don't protect it. Its status is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
