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WOOD QUAIL (GENUS ODONTOPHORUS)

(4 species). Chunky, usually elusive quail of

humid forest floor, heard more often than seen; loud ‘songs’ often given in prolonged duets that can last

a minute or more, mainly early and late in day. Usually in coveys of 4–10 birds; roost in trees. All species

have erectile crests.

SPOTTED WOOD QUAIL  Odontophorus guttatus 23.5–26cm. Humid foot­

hill and highland forest, often with bamboo and other dense understory. See

genus note. Overlaps at lower elevations with smaller Black-breasted Wood

Quail; note voice. When seen, note Spotted’s blackish throat, white droplets on

underparts; often raises and lowers crest while walking. Sexes similar (both have

brown and rufous morphs) but male has extensive orange base to crest.

SOUNDS: Single birds give rhythmic, steadily repeated hu’wik! or hoh-woh, 1–2

phrases/sec, that can lead into duets, typically alternated pairs of 3–4-syllable

whistled phrases, such as hu-WA-hoo hu-widl, hu-WA-hoo hu-widl.…Slower-

paced and more braying than duets of Black-breasted Wood Quail. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon

on both slopes of Central and Talamanca Mts., mainly 1000m to timberline. (Mexico to Panama.)

BLACK-EARED WOOD QUAIL  Odontophorus melanotis 23–25.5cm. Humid

lowland forest, adjacent taller second growth. See genus note. Distinctive in

habitat and range, note overall dark appearance with blackish throat, deep rusty

crown and breast. May overlap locally at higher elevations with Black-breasted

Wood Quail; note voice. Also cf. Tawny-faced Quail. Sexes similar but male has

more solidly black face. SOUNDS: Single birds give rather fast-paced, steadily

repeated, rhythmic honking ho-wóhk…, about 2 phrases/sec, and higher

braying ha-wah, sometimes combining into relatively simple, rolling duets, ka-

wá-hu ka-wá-hu.…Distinct from higher, shriekier, and more complex duets of

Black-breasted Wood Quail. Alarm call a slightly squeaky, rapidly rolled kwididi kwididi..., recalling

alarm call of Chestnut-backed Antbird. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon but local (widely extirpated

by deforestation) on Caribbean slope, to 1000m. (Honduras to Panama.)

MARBLED WOOD QUAIL  Odontophorus gujanensis 23.5–26cm. Humid

lowland forest, adjacent taller second growth. See genus note. Distinctive in

habitat and range, note broad orange eyering, plain grayish breast; short

blackish to dark brown crest sometimes raised. Possible local overlap in foothills

with Black-breasted Wood Quail; note voice. Sexes similar. SOUNDS: Single

birds give rhythmic, steadily repeated, low ringing how-ah or hóha-woh about 1

phrase/sec, can run into prolonged duets, oh-wóha-hu a-woh-hu, oh-wóha-hu

a-woh-hu,...; relatively low and gobbling, or marble-mouthed, vs. higher, jerkier

choruses of Black-breasted and Spotted Wood Quails. STATUS: Fairly common

to uncommon but local (widely extirpated by deforestation and hunting) on s. Pacific slope, to 900m.

(Costa Rica to S America.)

BLACK-BREASTED WOOD QUAIL  Odontophorus leucolaemus 23–25cm.

Humid foothill forest, cloud forest. See genus note. Note overall dark appear­

ance with white throat (can be inconspicuous), white-spotted belly; from

behind, golden-buff droplets on scapular edgings often noticeable. Overlaps

locally with Spotted Wood Quail at higher elevations, with Black-eared at

lower elevations on Caribbean slope, possibly with Marbled in s. Pacific

foothills; note voice. Sexes similar; imm. has duller throat, browner underparts.

SOUNDS: Single birds give rhythmic, steadily repeated, slightly braying kee-ohr

about 2 phrases/sec, can run into prolonged rhythmic duets, ch-wí-di ch-hóh-a,

ch-wí-di ch-hóh-a..., or get-wídit je-hó-vah...; faster-paced and higher than Spotted Wood Quail, with

different emphasis; may recall choruses of White-fronted Nunbird. Alarm call a squeaky rolled kw-di.

STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon on both slopes, mainly 700–1850m. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)