Buttonquails

Buttonquails are atypical shorebirds which resemble quails and inhabit grasslands. Difficult to see on the ground due to skulking habits and cryptic colouration. Polyandrous. Females are more brightly coloured than males. Two species resident in Peninsular Malaysia; one a rare vagrant.

  • Barred Buttonquail

    Widespread resident buttonquail in all Peninsular Malaysia states, favouring grassland, agricultural landscapes, including plantations. Not recorded from Bornean Malaysia. Told from other buttonquails by grey legs. Female, which is significantly larger than male, has black throat. Both sexes have white iris, large black and buff spots on breast and upperparts, and rich chestnut vent.

  • Small Buttonquail

    First recorded in Peninsular Malaysia in 2006, in Kedah, and has subsequently been observed in Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Selangor, suggesting recent colonisation from populations to the north. No records from Bornean Malaysia. Smaller than Barred Buttonquail, from which best distinguished by pink legs and paler overall colouration.

  • Yellow-legged Buttonquail

    Single record from Kedah in April 2014, though possibly under-recorded. Best told from other buttonquails by bright yellow legs and bill base and orange-chestnut colouration on the nape.