Snow Mountains Quail
Snow Mountain Quail ( Anurophasis monorthonyx )
The Snow Mountain Quail ( Anurophasis monorthonys ) is a species of the family of the pheasant -like. It is the only representative of the genus Anurophasis and is found only in Southeast Asia. Much like the Black quail snow mountain quail is one of the least explored gallinaceous birds. The species is considered endangered.
Appearance
The snow mountain quail reaches a body length of 25 to 28 centimeters and weighs about 401 grams. In the male, the ground color of the plumage is a reddish maroon. On the sides of the head, throat and underside of the body lacks any markings. The ear patches, the breast and flanks, however, have broad black stripes. The female, however, is much brighter. The horizontal stripes in the plumage are slightly less pronounced than in the male. Young birds have more irregular and often broken horizontal stripes.
Area of distribution and habitat
The species is found exclusively in the snowy mountains of New Guinea and Java. Be settled among others, the Carstensz Pyramid and the Wilhelmi Stevenage foothills. The habitat is alpine mats on northern slopes and plateaus at altitudes 3100-4200 meters.
Way of life
About the lifestyle of the Snow Mountain Quail almost nothing is known. So far, it has been observed predominantly singly or in pairs. Only in exceptional cases were seen more than three snow mountain quail together. So far, only one nest was found containing three eggs. The diet consists of grass seeds, leaves, flowers, caterpillars and other invertebrates.