Stubble Quail

1. Bold pale streaks (not barring) on the breast and belly

2. Males show a rusty or orange-buff face and throat with a blackish breast

3. Prominent pale eyebrow and loud, whirring wingbeats when flushed

Stubble Quail are omnivorous, feeding mainly on seeds from grasses, cereals, and weeds, but also taking insects and green plant material. Highly nomadic, they move in response to rainfall and food availability, sometimes traveling over 1, kilometers. Breeding usually peaks from August to December but can occur at other times depending on rain and food supply. Nests are simple scrapes hidden in dense grass or crops, with females laying 7–14 eggs per clutch and incubating for 18–21 days. Both parents care for the precocial chicks, which can make short flights at about 16 days old and become independent by six weeks. Stubble Quail can raise multiple broods in a favourable season.

Stubble Quail are found in open grasslands, cereal crops, and agricultural fields throughout mainland Australia (except Tasmania), favouring areas with tall, dense ground cover such as native or introduced grasses and stubble. They are most common in southeastern and southwestern regions and may expand into arid zones following good rainfall. Dawn and dusk are the best times to spot these birds as they feed or move into more open areas. Stubble Quail are typically encountered singly, in pairs, or in small groups, but may form coveys of up to 2 birds outside the breeding season.