Harlequin Quail

Product Description

Harlequin Quail

Harlequin quail originate from southern Africa and are found in areas of long grass and bush.

The breeding season is usually linked to the rainy season and they will lay their eggs after the hard rains. They will lay 3-9 eggs, cream in colour with small black blotches, in a shallow scrape in the ground, usually lined with grass. Incubation takes 15-17 days and is carried out by the hen alone. She can lay up to three clutches a year. Fertility is not as good as it should be in this country due to inbreeding. Chicks are born a buff colour with dark brown stripes.

Their diet consists of plant shoots and leaves and invertebrates. They also love mealworms.

They can be easily sexed. The male has a black chest with a chestnut colour at either side. He also has a white facial mask similar to a Chinese Painted Quail. The female is a brown colour, perfect camouflage. Harlequin quail are sometimes mistaken for Rain Quail which have very similar markings.

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