Here is a list of birds beginning with Q, along with photographs and interesting information about each. Since birds beginning with the letter q are uncommon, some of the species mentioned below may be familiar to you.
BIRDS THAT START WITH THE LETTER Q
The Montezuma Quail, California Quail, Mountain Quail, Scaled Quail, and Gambel’s quail are just a few of the species of quails found in North America.
1. MONTEZUMA QUAIL
The Montezuma Quail is a bird commonly found in Mexico’s highlands and oak woodlands, with a small range in the Southwest of the United States. Due to their short tail, rounded wings, and lack of neck, they have a distinct appearance, and they are sometimes referred to as “fool quail.” They prefer rugged terrain with woods and dense vegetation that provide them with food.
The Montezuma Quail is North America’s smallest quail, and their territorial or assembly call is a quavering and whinny sound consisting of six or more notes that fall in pitch, up to a maximum of nine. This cry can carry a significant distance.
2.QUEBRACHO CRESTED TINAMOU
The Quebracho Crested Tinamou is a bird with a unique whistle that consists of two parts: the first part is a low-pitched note, and the second part is a higher-pitched note that rises in pitch as it progresses.
The bird is only found in Argentina and Paraguay, where it nests on the ground. Due to their weak flying abilities, these birds spend most of their time on the ground, where they are quick runners and can outrun predators.
3.QUAILFINCH INDIGOBIRD
Quailfinch indigobirds are known to be brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of African quailfinches. These birds can be found living near water in open grasslands and savannas, and they have strong, pointed beaks that enable them to eat seeds and grains.
Similar to cuckoos, they use the nests of other birds for breeding, but they do not harm their hosts’ eggs. Instead, they lay their eggs alongside those of their host. Indigobirds are excellent mimics and can precisely imitate the songs of African quailfinches.
4.QUEEN WHYDAH
The tiny Queen Whydah has a reddish-orange head and legs. During the breeding season, the male is known as the “Shaft-tailed Whydah” because of his orange-colored buff neck and underparts with a black head and 17-centimeter-long tail feathers. On the other hand, females and non-breeding males have streaky upper parts and pale, buffy underparts.
When breeding, males establish territories in dry, prickly scrub. However, they form groups with other seedeaters after the breeding season. The Queen Whydah is a brood parasite that imitates the mimic songs of violet-eared Waxbills and lays its eggs in their nests. Both males and females of this species exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males developing a long tail during the breeding season and vibrant plumage, while females have a sparrow-like appearance at all times.
5.QUEEN VICTORIA’S RIFLEBIRD
The Queen Victoria’s Riflebird is a species of bird-of-paradise that has a distinctive long, downward-curving beak. Male birds have a metallic green and blue sheen on their neck, belly, and crown that makes them almost completely black, while females have brown feathers on their upper body and buff-colored feathers on their lower body. They also have scale-like feathers on their chest and stomach, and thin eyebrows. The birds are known for their powerful, repeated calls.
During their courtship display, male birds stand on an upright stump with their wings held high above their heads. They open their bright yellow beaks while bowing and swaying, then lift each wing one at a time in this position.
The Queen Victoria’s Riflebird is the smallest of all riflebirds. Males have emerald-blue heads and bronze-colored underbodies, with a bright purple color on the upper half of their body. They also have a black velvet patch below a metallic blue triangle on their necks. Other names for this non-migratory bird species include “Lesser Riflebird” and “Victoria Riflebird.”