Banded Quail Philortyx fasciatus Scientific name definitions

The Banded Quail is endemic to west-central Mexico, where it is locally common in the mattorales and sabanas of the Balsas River drainage, below 1,500 meters elevation. The smallest of the North American quails, its distinctive white and dark banded underparts are unique within the family Odontophoridae. Other features of note include an elongated dark crest and comparatively long legs, as well as the unique black face and throat of immatures (adults have pale throats).

Typically social, they are usually encountered in coveys of around a dozen birds, though coveys may be as large as 30. Generally hold close to the ground, but with fortune and patience they may be observed running within thorny scrubland, or seen feeding in clearings or at the edge of harvested farm fields. When disturbed, the covey explodes in flight, the birds landing within sight in dense cover.

Little is known concerning Banded Quail population dynamics as no investigations into its life history in the wild have been conducted. The highest populations are in lightly-grazed or ungrazed Guerreran thornscrub, Guerreran savanna, and along ungrazed fence-lines adjacent to small fields of maize, corn, and wheat. Few if any birds are found in heavily-grazed pastures or unplanted fields.