Birding in Uganda is a great experience, especially for the fact that you get exposed to a whole world of birds; get to know their different unique characterizes, sizes, and habitats. It is a much better way of connecting with Mother Nature, taking on the fresh breath and taking lifetime nature photos. Buttonquails are amazing active attractive birds.
Uganda is home to 10% of the world’s total bird population, with over 1060 unique bird species; inclusive of the Buttonquails. Their sound, behavior, and body size are so unique and attractive. Uganda is situated east of the continent of Africa; surrounded by Rwanda, DR Congo, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Burundi. It is one of the thirteen countries in the continent of the world crossed by the Equator, with a very amazing climate, and variety of flora and fauna.
Members of the Turnicidae family; and order Gruiforms; Class aves, and suborder Turnices; Buttonquails are one of the rarest, and exciting birds to watch they are tiny gray active birds resembling true Quails.
There are three main types; small buttonquail (Turnix sylvaticus); Quail-plover (Ortyxelos meiffrenii), Black-rumped buttonquail (Turnix nanus), spending most of their time on the ground, where they nest, mate, and feed. It is one of the sought-after terrestrial decorated birds in Uganda; with a blended color of grey and brown, with a short tail and legs.
A mention of the Buttonquails species in Uganda includes; the small buttonquail, plains-wanderer, black-rumped buttonquail, Lark buttonquail, Yellow-legged buttonquail, Red-chested buttonquail, barred buttonquail, painted-chested buttonquail, and black-breasted buttonquail.
The size is about 10-20cm and 20-130gms. The Males hatch the eggs and watch over the infants, whereas the females usher in courtship using their brighter colors. They are about 3genera, and 17 species; living in warmer parts of the world, in the subtropical and tropical zones such as; the woodlands, savanna, scrubs, forests, and hubs among others; 3species categorized as endangered; 1 nearly threatened and 3 vulnerable.
Physical description.
Buttonquails are small birds, with bald heads, short legs, short neck, short tail, short bill, and three toes in each leg. It is marked with gray, brown, and dull red color, with pale stripes for camouflage.
The female is much bigger and brighter in color most especially at the breeding time. They have either black and white foreheads, or a gray red on the shoulders, breast, and neck. Buttonquails have white-black and spotted wings; and develop the fifth secondary feather on each wing at times. Other features used to identify them are the single vain, horizontal posture while standing. Their eggs are oval-shaped.
These birds tend to stay alone, in pairs and sometimes in family groups comprised of a male, an infant and mature female. They are tiny and hard to find; social to the opposite sex, but don’t tolerate same-sex familiarizations. Females and males feed in each other’s company and hang out together. When it comes to mating; the females attract the prospective mates with over 11 booming echoes; such as the “oo-oom…” sound, where the male responds too, with clicking, and chattering calls.
These birds feed on; seeds, snails, plants, and insects among others. The purpose of swallowing seeds is to help digest the food in the gizzard. They get what to feed as they walk, scratching the ground and in the vegetation.
Where to find these birds and the cost?
These and more species can be spotted while in a bird watching safari in Semiliki National park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Bwindi impenetrable, and Mgahinga National park among others. The bird-watching permit costs 30USD for foreign and non-foreign residents and 10,000 UGX for Ugandans. A search for these birds commences very early in the morning when they are just awake and active or late in the afternoon as they return to retire for the day.
January to March and September to early December are the most ideal months for encountering birds in Uganda – a premier destination in the continent of Africa. Buttonquails are unique lovely birds, one of the most sought after in the continent of Africa.
