Image via Macaulay Library
Ocellated Quail
- Scientific name
- Cyrtonyx ocellatus
- Family
- Odontophoridae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Grassland
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Rounded
Where it came from
The Ocellated Quail is a member of the Odontophoridae family, a group of New World quails native to the cloud forests of Central America. Unlike its northern cousin, the Montezuma quail, this species is noted for its secretive nature and preference for high-altitude pine-oak woodlands, making it a challenging subject for early twentieth-century naturalists attempting to document avian biodiversity.
The species was formally described by John Gould in 1837. Gould, a renowned English ornithologist and bird artist, famously captured the rounded wing and tail morphology that defines this genus. His illustrations sought to emphasize the bird's cryptic, mottled plumage, which serves as essential camouflage against the forest floor, a design feature that has long fascinated researchers studying evolutionary adaptation in isolated montane environments.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Ocellated Quail
Ocellated Quail is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Ocellated Quail on collecto.rs?
Ocellated Quail doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Ocellated Quail?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Ocellated Quail catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Ocellated Quail is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
