| Rock bush quail | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A male (Rajasthan) | |
 | |
| Family | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Genus: | Perdicula |
| Species: | P. argoondah |
| Binomial name | |
| Perdicula argoondah (Sykes, 1832) | |
Therock bush quail (Perdicula argoondah)[a] is a species ofquail found in parts of peninsularIndia. It is a common species with a wide range and theIUCN has rated it as being of "least concern".
There are three recognised subspecies:
The rock bush quail is very similar to and overlaps in range with thejungle bush quail (Perdicula asiatica). These birds are found in smallcoveys and are often detected only when they suddenly burst out into flight en masse from under vegetation. It is 6.7–7.25 in (17.0–18.4 cm) in length and weighs 2.25–3 oz (64–85 g). It is some shade of brown barred and mottled with darker colour.[2] A diagnostic feature is that the outermost primary feather is longer than the innermost, and the inner web of the primaries is barred or speckled with buff. The voice is a trill followed by a series of piping notes which start quiet and grow louder.[3]
The rock bush quail is native to the western half of India and is believed to be a non-migratory species. It occurs in arid areas with scrubby grassland and thorny bushes and is seldom found above about 600 metres (2,000 ft).[3]
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The rock bush quail has a very wide range and is common in many parts of that range. TheInternational Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern". Although the population has not been quantified, it is probably declining slowly, as the bird is subject to hunting pressure and destruction of its habitat. The rate of decline in population is insufficient to warrant listing the species in a more threatened category.[1]
