Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a King Quail (Synoicus chinensis), male
King Quail, Male

King Quail

Synoicus chinensis

The King Quail, known scientifically as Synoicus chinensis, is a diminutive species of Old World quail belonging to the family Phasianidae. It is the smallest of the "true quails" and is recognized by various names including the blue-breasted quail, Asian blue quail, Chinese painted quail, or Chung-Chi. The male of the species exhibits a palette of colors such as blue, brown, silver, maroon, dark brown, and almost black, with striking orange feet adapted for a terrestrial lifestyle. Females, while similar in form, do not display the blue hues of their male counterparts.

Identification Tips

Males are distinguishable by their varied coloration, including the presence of blue shades, and their robust orange feet. Females lack the blue coloration and are generally more subdued in appearance. The eggs of the King Quail are light, creamy-brown, and slightly pointed at one end.

Habitat

The King Quail is a ground-dwelling bird that thrives in a variety of habitats across its range.

Distribution

This species is widespread, ranging from southern China through South and Southeast Asia to Oceania, and extending south to southeastern Australia. It has been introduced to various locales, including a failed attempt in New Zealand.

Behaviour

King Quail males engage in combat for mating privileges, with victorious males breeding with multiple females. Females may lay eggs within a day or two of mating, either in a constructed nest or directly on the ground. They tend to become broody once an ideal clutch size is achieved.

Breeding

The clutch size of the King Quail can range from five to 13 eggs, with incubation commencing after the entire clutch is laid. In captivity, six to eight eggs are considered an ideal clutch size. The incubation period lasts approximately 16 days.

Diet and Feeding

In the wild, King Quails feed on small insects, seeds, and grasses. In captivity, a varied diet of seeds, fruits, and vegetables is recommended, with additional calcium-rich foods for breeding females. Chicks should be provided with high-protein food such as chick crumb and mealworms.

Conservation status

Australia

The King Quail is not listed as threatened under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

King Quail Sounds


Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

King Quails on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Pheasants & Allies

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
Emcil24
A Friendly Place
I love using the bird app, I have a pretty good knowledge of birds. But I do have some gaps in it, so it’s nice to have a safe space to check on a sighting to confirm the species. It’s really enjoyable and I love the badges you can collect. It’s like a real life Pokémon go.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.