The stubble quail is a native Australian species which is the most common quail species in Australia. The species is not under any threat of extinction. Stubble quail are widespread and found throughout all states and territories of Australia excluding Tasmania. Other common names include grey quail and pectoral quail.
Image: Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis) male (14377891677), crop
Image: Coturnix pectoralis South Australia
Drawing of the head of a stubble quail
Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
The New Zealand quail, or koreke in Māori, is an extinct quail species endemic to New Zealand. The male and female were similar, except the female was lighter. The first scientist to describe it was Sir Joseph Banks when he visited New Zealand on James Cook's first voyage. Terrestrial and temperate, this species inhabited lowland tussock grassland and open fernlands. The first specimen to be obtained by a European was collected in 1827 by Jean René Constant Quoy and Joseph Paul Gaimard on Dumont D'Urville's voyage. It most likely went extinct due to diseases from introduced game birds.
New Zealand quail
Illustration