Family Pheasants, Partridges, Turkeys, Grouse (Phasianidae)
Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)
Taxonomy
Tetrao Coturnix
Linnaeus
, 1758,Europe, Asia, Africa = Sweden
.Closely related to C. japonica, and possibly also to C. pectoralis. Records from NW Bangladesh normally ascribed to present species (nominate coturnix), but perhaps more likely to refer to C. japonica. Internal taxonomy complex and somewhat confused. Present species has been considered to include C. japonica as a race, but the two are apparently sympatric in Mongolia (see C. japonica). African populations may constitute a separate species, as C. africana. Birds of E & C Africa often considered to merit subspecific distinction from those in S Africa, and thus awarded race erlangeri; this name formerly applied to Ethiopian population only; birds of S Africa frequently transferred to nominate coturnix, as deemed to be inseparable; under such an arrangement, erlangeri applied to birds of E & C Africa, and sometimes raised to full species level. Race inopinata sometimes synonymized with nominate. Azores birds sometimes separated as race conturbans. Proposed races ragonierii (Tuscany, in NW Italy) and parisii (probably Sardinia) included in nominate. Has even been suggested that this species is monotypic#R. Full review required. Four subspecies presently recognized.
Introduced (africana) to Reunion and to Mauritius, where possibly extinct#R.
Italian name
Quaglia comune
Range maps of common quail in India
There is diffeences between the common quail range maps between "Birds of the Indian subcontinent" by Grimmet and Inskipp versus the maps given by HBW and Xeno-canto (both appear to be same.
I checked the ebird for sightings of common quail in India and couldnt get much actual support for their presence from May-Jul
While this could be because birders are also less likely to be active in the rainy season, I would like to know the basis of the current maps. If it is likely to be true, I would like to search for the same in my locality (Lucknow, where it is supposed to be resident).
Common Quail in India
Answering Able Lawrence's question, the summer presence of the Common Quail in central India, such as shown in the maps of HBW Alive, Xeno-canto and also BirdLife International (http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/factsheet/22678944), seems to be based on Rasmusen, P.C. & Anderton, J.C. (2005). Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. National Museum of Natural History and Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.