The jungle bush quail (Perdicula asiatica) belongs to the family Phasianidae. The jungle bush quail is distributed in the Indian subcontinent, ranging across India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. There are five recognized subspecies of these quails. The subspecies P. a. punjaubi occurs in northwest India, from Kashmir to Uttar Pradesh.
The subspecies P. a. asiatica ranges from Bihar to Gujarat in central and northwest India. P. a. vidali is found in southwest India. P. a. ceylonensis occurs in Sri Lanka. The subspecies P. a. vellorei occurs in south India.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorized and evaluated these quail species and has listed them as of "least concern".
This quail is a small bird, measuring 15-20 cm in length and weighing 50-80 grams. Male birds have heavily barred white underparts, and variegated wings. The females have rich chestnut colored belly and underparts. There white and red streaks on the head. They feed on seeds, grass and insects. These birds inhabit dry scrub jungles. They breed after the end of rainy season. Five or six eggs are laid and the female incubates the eggs.
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| Indian bird - Jungle bush-quail - Perdicula asiatica |
| Biological classification of Perdicula asiatica | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Subfamily: | Perdicinae |
| Genus: | Perdicula |
| Species: | P. asiatica |
| Binomial name: | Perdicula asiatica |
| Distribution: | Indian Subcontinent, ranging across India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; |
| Feeding habits: | seeds, insects; |
| IUCN status listing: | Least Concern |
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jungle_Bush_Quail_(Perdicula_asiatica)_Photograph_By_Shantanu_Kuveskar.jpg
Author: Shantanu Kuveskar | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
. Current topic in Birds od India: Jungle bush-quail - Perdicula asiatica.