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Plains-wanderer
File:Plains-wanderer.png
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Clade: Aequorlitornithes
Order: Charadriiformes
Suborder: Limicoli
Family: Pedionomidae
Bonaparte, 1856
Genus: Pedionomus
Gould, 1841
Species: P. torquatus
Binomial name
Pedionomus torquatus
Gould, 1841

Plains-wanderer, Pedionomus torquatus is a species of bird in the Limicoli suborder, and the only bird in the genus Pedionomus and the bird family Pedionomidae. It is endemic to Australia. Despite looking like a buttonquail, it is classed in Limicoli while the buttonquails have their own suborder, Turnici. Both families were once classed in Gruiformes.[2]

Description[]

Plains-wanderers are similar to buttonquails but lankier, they look deceptively like a gamebird, with a compact body, small head, and well-developed legs;[2] but, unlike buttonquails, they have a hind toe.[3] Their plumage is soft and their wings are rounded and soft.[3] Bill long and thin, with long, narrow nasal apertures.[3] Their irides are faint yellow.[3] Legs and feet are yellow to greenish yellow; toes long, hind toe short and prominent.[3]

Males are buff and white with no obvious collar.[3] Females are larger, darker; face and chin have sandy-red feathers, with fine black lines; chestnut collar patch; collar chequered black and white, small crescents on breast and upper abdomen.[3]

Similar species[]

Stubble Quail

Brown Quail

Plains-wanderer's legs are longer than a buttonquail's.[3]

Behaviour[]

Runs "crouched", may spread wings; stands erect, crouches motionless; seldom flies.[3]

Diet[]

Calls[]

Reproduction[]

Distribution/habitat[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Pedionomus torquatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013. 
  2. ^ a b Don E. Wilson (Author), David Burnie (Author) (2001). Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife. Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0789477645. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simpson & Day (2010). A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, 8th Edition. Penguin Ltd. and Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691146928. 

External links[]

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