Animalia Life

Odontophorus columbianus
TAXONOMY
Odontophorus columbianus Gould, 1850, Caracas, Venezuela. Monotypic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Tocro du Venezuela; German: Venezuelawachtel; Spanish: Perdiz montaсera.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
This is a medium sized species ranging 11–12 in (28–30 cm) in length and with estimated weight of males about 12 oz (343 g) and 11 oz (336 g) for females. This species has a low brownish crest and general body color of reddish brown. The throat is white with black streaks. The breast is covered by distinct white teardrops outlined in black. The bill is black and the legs dark gray.
DISTRIBUTION
Restricted
DISTRIBUTION
in remnant forests in the northern coastal mountains west of Caracas, Venezuela and the northern- most tip of the Andes in northwestern Venezuela. Found in Henri Pittier and San Esteban National Parks.
HABITAT
Found in montane subtropical forests at altitudes of 2,950–7,900 ft (900–2,400 m). A recent study found that foraging
HABITAT
was usually associated with areas containing high numbers of monocots, high vertical foliage density and low frequency of palms.
BEHAVIOR
Like most of the other New World quails this species is found in coveys which are thought to be family groups. Group size in ranges from two to five individuals with one survey reporting an average group size of 4.5. Coveys are quite vocal and loud during early morning choruses. This might be for territory establishment and maintenance. When feeding they make a quiet, “gьp-gьp” call. Although almost always observed on the ground even when roosting, they have been observed roosting on palm fronds above the ground.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Little information available, but they have are suspected to feed on seeds, fruits, insects, and worms. They typically forage as a group working through the litter on the forest floor. They have been observed digging along the edges of surface roots and feeding on fleshy bits of the root.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Little is known and only one nest has been described. Breeding season appears to run from March to July which corresponds to the wet season. The single nest was found at the base of palms and contained a roof of vegetation. It contained a clutch of six eggs and was incubated for 30 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Considered Near Threatened because it occurs in several large national parks, most notably Henri Pittier National Park. However, populations and
DISTRIBUTION
have probably declined significantly as forests outside of the parks have been converted to agriculture and urban uses. Limited research suggests that there might be a decline in the population in the vicinity of Rancho Grande in Pittier National Park due to increasing tourism and vehicle traffic.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Because of its limited
DISTRIBUTION
and population, it is not an important species to humans. It may be opportunistically harvested by subsistence hunters who are hunting in remnant forest patches, and in the vicinity of the national parks.

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