Although not closely related, quail, buttonquail and the Plains-wanderer have much in common. Quail, Buttonquail and Plains-wanderer in Australia and New Zealand examines 14 species of these small, secretive ground-dwelling birds, including Old World and New World quail, the endangered Buff-breasted Buttonquail, the elusive Plains-wanderer and the extinct New Zealand Quail.
Joseph Forshaw presents a comprehensive review of recent studies for these often hard-to-observe birds. Detailed species descriptions include key features, habitat, status, diet and breeding, along with information on eggs, calls and distribution. Each species is fully illustrated with exquisite colour identification plates by renowned wildlife artist Frank Knight. This is an essential reference for anyone fascinated by these elusive birds.
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Order Galliformes
Family Odontophoridae
Subfamily Odontophorinae
Family Phasianidae
Subfamily Phasianinae
Order Charadriiformes
Family Turnicidae
Family Pedionomidae
Map
Gazetteer
References Cited
Index of Common Names
Index of Scientific Names
Joseph M. Forshaw AM is a Research Associate in the Ornithology Section at the Australian Museum and the author of a number of award-winning natural history books. In 2015, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to ornithology and wildlife conservation. His previous books include Vanished and Vanishing Parrots (2017) and Pigeons and Doves in Australia (2015).
Frank Knight has been a wildlife illustrator for more than 30 years, producing illustrations for scientific papers, books and lectures. His work appears in Field Guide to the Frogs of Australia (2020), with text by Michael Tyler, and in Vanished and Vanishing Parrots (2017) by Joseph Forshaw.