Black-breasted Wood-Quail Odontophorus leucolaemus Scientific name definitions

Light brown or rufous are colors frequently seen in the plumage of wood-quails (Odontophorus), but the Black-breasted Wood-Quail is dominated by darker tones. The upperparts are dark brown, while the sides of the face and the breast and belly are black; the throat is white, although this patch of contrasting color is variable in size and sometimes is inconspicuous. Like most species of wood-quail, this species is heard more often than it is seen. This species forages on the ground in coveys of up to 10-15 individuals in the interior of humid montane forest. The Black-breasted Wood-Quail is restricted to the highlands of Costa Rica and of western Panama, but it is fairly common, and despite its small geographic range its IUCN Red List conservation status is rated as Least Concern.

22–25·5 cm; mean 295 g (1 Hale, A.M. (2004). Predation risk associated with group singing in a Neotropical wood-quail. Wilson Bull.. 116(2): 167–171. Close ), with males averaging slightly larger than females (c. 300 g versus 286 g) (2 Hale, A.M. (2006). Group living in the Black-breasted Wood-quail and the use of playbacks as a survey technique. Condor. 108(1): 107–119. Close ). Crown, crest and ear-coverts black; large white patch on throat; neck and breast black with dull white feather tips. Overall coloration dark brown . Belly brown with fine black vermiculations. Iris dark brown, bill black, legs dark grey. Sexes similar. Juvenile dark chestnut-brown on breast, has dusky mottling on throat and upperparts closely barred rufous (3 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); bill brown or red. Population of Dota Mts (Costa Rica) smaller and almost entirely black.

NE, E & C highlands of Costa Rica S to W Panama. Most records on Caribbean slope.

Tropical and subtropical forests at 700–1850 m (3 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), including second growth and forest borders, but mostly in interior of forest. Found on forest floor, generally in thickest vegetation, e.g. in scrub and amongst vines. Birds in roost in lower canopy, typically communally (2 Hale, A.M. (2006). Group living in the Black-breasted Wood-quail and the use of playbacks as a survey technique. Condor. 108(1): 107–119. Close ).

Presumably sedentary. Moves about in pairs or groups of up to 15 birds, typically containing 2–9 adults and occupying a mean home range of 3·3 ha, irrespective of whether birds are found in broken or continuous forest (2 Hale, A.M. (2006). Group living in the Black-breasted Wood-quail and the use of playbacks as a survey technique. Condor. 108(1): 107–119. Close ).

Virtually no information available: may take plant matter, supplemented with insects.

Mostly calls early morning and evening, like other wood-quails (3 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Advertising call  a gabbled chorus lasting up to 60 seconds of “kee-a WOWa kee-a WOW-a” (or “where-ARE-you where-ARE-you”) notes audible over up to 500 m (1 Hale, A.M. (2004). Predation risk associated with group singing in a Neotropical wood-quail. Wilson Bull.. 116(2): 167–171. Close ), punctuated by low, hoarse and chuckling calls; also gives rattling trill in alarm, growling “CUH-k’rrr” in agression, and various upslurred peeping and chirping notes to maintain contact among covey members (3 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Coveys defend group territories and produce coordinated group choruses or duets, with neighbouring coveys frequently heard calling back and forth just after dawn for up to one hour; all members of covey participate, with individuals assumging perches (dead fallen trees) c. 1 m above ground while singing (1 Hale, A.M. (2004). Predation risk associated with group singing in a Neotropical wood-quail. Wilson Bull.. 116(2): 167–171. Close ).

Nests found in Jun. Probably monogamous (3 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Nests in heavily shaded second growth along bank of stream; nest is hollow in leaf-litter, measuring 24 mm × 13 cm, with entrance pointing downslope (3 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Clutches of five eggs. Eggs white, but become stained brown; 44·5 mm × 28·7 mm. Incubation said to be 16–17 days. Apparently groups of adults guard nest site, but do not assist with incubation. Young remain on natal territory beyond age of sexual maturity (2 Hale, A.M. (2006). Group living in the Black-breasted Wood-quail and the use of playbacks as a survey technique. Condor. 108(1): 107–119. Close ). Potential predators include grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), margay (Leopardus wiedii), Collared Forest-falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus) and Barred Forest-falcon (M. ruficollis) (1 Hale, A.M. (2004). Predation risk associated with group singing in a Neotropical wood-quail. Wilson Bull.. 116(2): 167–171. Close ).

Not globally threatened. Mace Lande: possibly Safe. Previously considered Near Threatened. Total population might number fewer than 50,000 birds; perhaps declining. Restricted range; very little information available. Generally rare in Costa Rica, although locally common; most records from Panama are old. Isolated population in Dota Mts, Costa Rica. Reported to be common at Monteverde Reserve, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Major threats possibly include deforestation and hunting. Extensive surveys required.