Asian Blue Quail

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Asian Blue Quail

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Phasianidae
Genus:	Coturnix
Species:	C. chinensis

Binomial name

Coturnix chinensis
Linnaeus, 1766

The Asian Blue Quail, Coturnix chinensis also known as Chinese Painted Quail, King Quail or Blue-breasted Quail is in the same family as the pheasants Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.

This species is the smallest "true quail" and is quite common in aviculture worldwide. In the wild they range from southeastern Asia to Oceania with 10 different subspecies. It sometimes goes by the name "Button Quail", though this name properly refers to similar-looking but distantly related birds of the genus Turnix.

[edit] Aviculture

This quail has become very popular to keep and breed. Numerous mutations have been developed. They are quite hardy once they have adjusted to their surroundings and will keep the bottom of an aviary spotless. The cost of purchasing and maintaining them is very little. They are hyperactive breeders and reproduce at an incredible rate. A female will lay an egg a day if kept on the proper diet. She will make a soft "crowing" noise to attract a mate. These quail take up only a small amount of time to feed and water. They need only about a two foot long cage to breed successfully, but three times the space is needed for them to really thrive and to avoid fights. Their eggs can be easily and successfully incubated. In some cases they have been known to become hand-tamed.

[edit] References

BirdLife International (2004). Coturnix chinensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern