Family ODONTOPHORIDAE Gould, 1844

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• Callipeplidae Reichenbach, 1848.

  Type genus:

   Callipepla Wagler, 1832.

Introduction

The Odontophoridae (New World quails) are now recognised as a full family. Based on morphological characters the family has been separated from typical Phasianidae. DNA evidence also supports this separation and suggests that the New World quail are not closely related to pheasants and Old World quails. The evidence indicates a divergence from the original group some 35–63 million years ago. Worldwide there are 32 species in 9 genera, one of which has been introduced into Australia.

The sole Australian representative, the California Quail, is restricted to south-eastern parts of the country, especially to Tasmania. They are often seen in pairs or small coveys. Their calls are generally restricted to communication between pairs and are of a gentle nature. They inhabit grassland or pastures and are gramivorous, occasionally also feeding on small invertebrates; to assist with feeding they possess a serrated tomia. The plumage is distinct within the species, males having more colourful feathering. Both have a distinctive fine head crest.

Breeding usually follows a seasonal pattern. Pairs are maintained as succinct entities and females construct the nest of grasses and herbage in or under tussocks. Incubation is undertaken by both sexes. The eggs, numbering up to ten or more per clutch, are short pyriform-shaped with a pale cream base colour, they are heavily blotched or spotted dark brown to black. Odontophorid quails have precocial young that are reliant on the adult female for the initial two or three weeks after hatching.

General References

Armstrong, M.H., Braun, E.L., & Kimball, R.T. 2001. Phylogenetic utility of the avian ovomucoid intron G: a comparison of the nuclear and mitochondrical phylogenies in Galliformes. Auk 118: 799-804

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [60]

Dickinson, E.C. (ed.) 2003. The Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. London : Christopher Helm 1039 pp. [41-44]

Sibley, C.G. & Ahlquist, J.E. 1990. Phylogeny and Classification of Birds. A Study in Molecular Evolution. New Haven : Yale University Press xxiii 976 pp.

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