<trp-post-container data-trp-post-id='359587'>Spot-winged Wood-Quail

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En bref

  • Scientific Name: Odontophorus capueira
  • Spanish Name: Perdiz de alas manchadas
  • Family: Odontophoridae
  • Known Nicknames: Spot-winged Wood Quail, Capueira
  • Average Length: 25–28 cm / 10–11 in
  • Average Weight: 280–350 g / 9.9–12.3 oz
  • Envergure : N/A
  • Key Feature: Dark brown plumage with white spots on the wing coverts and a chestnut crown
  • Régime alimentaire principal : Omnivore
  • Range: Eastern Brazil, from Bahia to Rio Grande do Sul, and adjacent northeastern Argentina and eastern Paraguay
  • Habitat: Humid Atlantic Forest understory, often near streams
  • Social Structure: Social (lives in small coveys of 4–12 birds)
  • Nesting/Breeding: Ground nest, a shallow scrape lined with leaves, often at the base of a tree or under a log
  • Statut de conservation : Quasi menacé (NT)
  • Évolution démographique : En baisse

The Spot-winged Wood-Quail (*Odontophorus capueira*) is a striking, secretive bird endemic to the Atlantic Forest of South America, renowned for its bold, cryptic beauty. Roughly the size of a small chicken, it sports a rich, chestnut-brown body intricately barred with black and white, while its most distinctive feature is the namesake series of large, white spots edged in black adorning its wings. A short, dark crest and a bare patch of red skin around the eye add a touch of drama to its otherwise camouflaged appearance. Unlike many quail, it is a forest-floor specialist that lives in small, noisy coveys, communicating with a loud, rising whistle that often echoes through the understory before the birds burst into flight with a startling whir of wings.

Faits amusants

The Spot-winged Wood-Quail is a master of cryptic evasion, freezing mid-step with such precision that it can vanish into the forest floor’s leaf litter even when only meters away. Unlike many quails, it rarely flies, preferring to sprint through the undergrowth with explosive speed, using its stout legs to navigate dense tangles. It also engages in a peculiar "ant-following" behavior, trailing army ant swarms to snatch fleeing insects and spiders, a strategy more common among antbirds. Its loud, ascending whistle—a rapid *whee-whee-whee-whee*—is often answered by neighboring pairs in a coordinated duet, reinforcing pair bonds in the dim, noisy understory.

Habitats et répartition

The Spot-winged Wood-Quail inhabits the interior of humid and montane forests, primarily in the Atlantic Forest biome. It is typically found in dense, shaded understory with a thick layer of leaf litter, often near streams or in areas with bamboo thickets. Its geographical range is restricted to eastern South America, occurring from the state of Bahia in northeastern Brazil southward through the coastal forests to the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and extending slightly into northeastern Argentina (Misiones) and eastern Paraguay. The species is generally associated with lowland and foothill forests up to approximately 1,200 meters in elevation.

Comportements & Reproduction

The Spot-winged Wood-Quail is a monogamous, territorial species that forms stable pair bonds, often remaining together for multiple breeding seasons. Socially, they live in small family groups of up to 10 individuals, typically composed of a breeding pair and their offspring from previous broods, which assist in rearing new chicks—a cooperative breeding strategy. During courtship, the male performs a low, repetitive vocalization and may offer food to the female; nesting occurs in a shallow scrape on the forest floor, concealed by vegetation. The female lays 3–5 creamy eggs, and both parents, along with helper juveniles, share incubation and chick-rearing duties. A unique reproductive adaptation is their ability to delay breeding if resources are scarce, and chicks are precocial, leaving the nest within hours to follow adults, who use distraction displays to protect them from predators.

Alimentation

The Spot-winged Wood-Quail is primarily a terrestrial frugivore, with its diet heavily centered on fallen fruits, seeds, and berries foraged from the forest floor of the Atlantic Forest. Interestingly, it is also an opportunistic insectivore, actively scratching through leaf litter to uncover small invertebrates like beetles, ants, and termites, which provide essential protein, especially during the breeding season. A notable dietary behavior is its strong reliance on the fruits of palm trees, such as those from the genus *Euterpe*, and it plays a vital role in seed dispersal for many understory plants. Additionally, these quails will occasionally consume tender green shoots and flower buds, but they rarely drink standing water, obtaining most of their moisture from their succulent food sources.

Couleurs

The Spot-winged Wood-Quail has a mostly dark brown or grayish-brown body with fine, pale buff or whitish streaking and barring on the underparts, creating effective camouflage in the forest understory. Its most distinctive feature is the bold, rounded white or buff spots on the wing coverts, which contrast sharply with the darker plumage. The head is typically darker, often with a subtle rufous or chestnut tinge, and the throat may be pale. This cryptic coloration, combined with a short tail and ground-dwelling habit, helps it blend seamlessly into leaf litter and dappled light.

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