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Red-backed Buttonquail (Turnix maculosus)

The Red-backed Buttonquail is a small, secretive, ground-dwelling bird of dense wet grassland, tussocky vegetation, open woodland and some cropped land. On Australian development sites, clearing of wet grass cover can remove feeding, nesting and sheltering habitat, while disturbance may flush birds into nearby hazards.

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

Breeding is recorded from October to June. Timing of partial migration is poorly documented, so movement is shown across the year rather than assigned to particular months.

Months are January to December. The breeding period is documented as October to June, but no peak months are provided.

  • Breeding, mating and laying: Breeding may occur from October to June. The sources do not identify peak laying months.
  • Young, incubation and dependence: Males incubate and care for the young. Eggs are laid in clutches of two to four; the duration of incubation and dependence is not given for this species.
  • Movement or dispersal: Some populations are believed to be partially migratory, probably travelling at night, but the timing and extent of movement are poorly documented.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing and ground disturbance are most likely to harm the species during the documented October to June breeding period, when nests, incubating males and dependent young may be present in tall wet grass.

Identification

The Red-backed Buttonquail is a tiny, stocky buttonquail with a short tail and rounded wing tips. It is highly secretive and is often detected when it suddenly flushes from dense cover.

Adults have slate-grey upperparts narrowly barred with reddish-brown and black, pale grey underwings, and whitish to buff underparts with bold spots and scalloping. The head is blackish and grey, the side of the head, neck and throat are brownish-buff, and a reddish-brown partial collar is usually visible.

The bill is yellow to pale yellow, with yellowish irises and legs recorded for the northern Australian subspecies T. m. melanotus. Females are larger and more brightly coloured than males, with a brighter yellow bill and a more distinct chestnut collar. Juveniles are much darker.

Body length: 12 to 16 cm

Male mass: 23 to 39 g

Female mass: 32 to 51 g

Identification: Flight and call

When disturbed, the bird may freeze or run. It usually flies only a short distance, although an observer may see pale wing patches contrasting with the darker back and wing tips when it flushes.

The call is a soft, repeated ‘oom-oom-oom-oom’, with the end of each note ascending in pitch. Most records are likely to come from dusk, night-time activity or a sudden flush from cover.

Typical behaviour when approached: Freezes or runs, and only occasionally takes flight

Call: Soft repeated ‘oom-oom-oom-oom’, with ascending pitch at the end of each note

Identification: Field signs and separation

The most useful field signs are the bird itself, its distinctive call and a low, roofed nest concealed at the base of a grass tussock. The nest is a shallow scoop lined with grass, leaves and pieces of dung, and may be covered by woven grass.

The supplied sources do not describe diagnostic tracks, scats, eyeshine or species-specific separation from other Australian buttonquails. Identification should therefore rely on the combination of size, plumage, yellow bill, reddish-brown collar, spotted flanks, wet dense grassland habitat and call, supported by photographs or an experienced observer.

Distribution: Australian range

In Australia, the species occurs mainly in a coastal and near-coastal strip from north-eastern Western Australia through the north of the country and Queensland to north-eastern New South Wales. The supplied documents do not provide mapped bioregional limits, confirmed strongholds, subpopulation boundaries or a national population estimate.

The Australian range extends from north-eastern Western Australia to Cape York and southward to north-eastern New South Wales. Records are associated mainly with lowland areas near water and with regions receiving substantial summer rainfall.

On the information supplied, the species may occur in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales. No finer state or bioregional distribution is provided.

Australian range: North-eastern Western Australia to Cape York and southward to north-eastern New South Wales

Typical elevation in Australia: Mostly lowland

Distribution: Population information

The species has a wide global range and is described as common in much of that range, but uncommon in south-eastern Australia. The total population is thought to be decreasing because suitable habitat is being degraded.

No Australian population estimate, density, mapped stronghold or defined subpopulation is given in the supplied documents. Globally, the species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, while the supplied project information records it as Vulnerable in New South Wales and not listed under the EPBC Act.

Global conservation status: Least Concern, IUCN

Australian project listing information: EPBC Act not listed; Vulnerable in New South Wales

Population trend: Thought to be decreasing because suitable habitat is being degraded

Habitat: Habitat types

Red-backed Buttonquails use dense, low to tall ground vegetation, particularly wet grassland near water. They are mainly lowland birds in Australia and require a warm, sufficiently wet climate for persistence.

The species is associated with rough, tussocky grassland, dense wet grassland, open woodland and cropped land. In Australia it is usually found near water.

Breeding habitat is typically tall grass in a wet area, especially where grass tussocks provide concealed ground-level cover.

Habitat: Structure and climate

Important structural features include dense tussocks, tall grasses and enough continuous ground cover for a secretive bird to run, freeze and shelter. The sources do not provide a minimum cover height, patch size or vegetation density.

In Australia, the species occurs in areas with at least 400 mm of summer rainfall and is resident only in areas with at least 800 mm of precipitation. Most Australian records are from lowland settings.

Summer rainfall associated with occurrence: At least 400 mm

Rainfall associated with residency: At least 800 mm

Recorded elevation limit: Mostly lowland in Australia; a New Guinea subspecies occurs above 2,000 m

Foraging habitat: Diet

The Red-backed Buttonquail feeds on the ground, usually alone, in pairs or in small groups. It uses grassland and other sites that provide both seed resources and invertebrate prey.

The diet includes grass and sedge seeds, other seeds, green plant matter and insects. It may consume more insect prey than other members of the genus.

The supplied sources do not identify particular food plant species, feeding territory sizes or foraging distances.

Food: Grass and sedge seeds, other seeds, green plant matter and insects

Social foraging groups: Alone, in pairs or in groups of up to five birds

Foraging habitat: Foraging conditions

Foraging occurs on the ground in rough grassland, wet grassland, open woodland and cropped land. Activity is mainly at dusk and at night, so site checks should not rely only on daytime visual searches.

Dense ground cover near water is likely to support feeding by providing seeds, green plant material and insect prey, but the supplied documents do not define a required foraging radius or home range.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs in wet, tall grassland where a male can incubate and care for young while remaining concealed at ground level. The female may breed with more than one male during the season.

Breeding occurs between October and June. The nest is usually placed at the base of a grass tussock among tall grasses in a wet area.

The female lays two to four whitish eggs with dark speckles. The male incubates the eggs and is exclusively involved in caring for the young. The female is serially polyandrous and may seek another male to repeat the breeding process.

Breeding season: October to June

Clutch size: 2 to 4 eggs

Egg appearance: Whitish with dark speckles

Incubation: Male incubation is documented; the supplied species account does not give a duration

Care of young: Male provides exclusive care after hatching

Age at maturity: Not stated in the supplied documents

Lifespan: Not stated in the supplied documents

Breeding habitat: Nest habitat

Locate potential nests in tall, dense grass in wet areas, especially at the base of intact tussocks. The nest is a shallow scoop lined with grass, leaves and pieces of dung, and is often roofed with nearby grass woven together.

Clearing, slashing, machinery movement and construction access through this vegetation can destroy concealed nests or disturb incubating males and dependent young.

Nest location: Base of a grass tussock, usually among tall grass in a wet area

Nest form: Shallow, lined and often roofed scoop

Sheltering habitat: Ground refuges

The species relies on dense ground cover rather than trees, hollows or burrows. Shelter is provided by grass tussocks and other thick vegetation that allow the bird to remain concealed or move through cover.

Dense wet grassland, rough tussocks and tall grass provide shelter for adults, nests and young. When approached, a bird may freeze or run through cover instead of flying.

The supplied documents do not give dimensions for required tussocks, shelter patches or home ranges. No use of tree hollows, dens, burrows or roost structures is described.

Primary refuge: Dense grass tussocks and tall ground cover

Response to disturbance: Freezes or runs, usually remaining on the ground

Sheltering habitat: Site management considerations

Retain connected wet grass cover around drainage lines, wetlands and other suitable water-associated habitat where practicable. Before clearing, inspect dense tussocks and wet grass for birds, nests and recently used cover.

Because the species is most active at dusk and night, daytime absence from a site does not demonstrate that suitable shelter is unused.

Threats: Habitat loss and fragmentation

The main documented threat is degradation and loss of suitable habitat. On development sites, direct clearing of wet tussock grassland presents the clearest risk, particularly during the breeding period.

Suitable habitat is being degraded and the overall population is thought to be decreasing. Clearing rough, wet or tussocky grassland can remove feeding areas, nest sites and concealment.

Fragmentation may reduce the amount of connected ground cover available to a secretive, ground-dwelling bird. The supplied documents do not quantify fragmentation thresholds or minimum patch sizes.

Threats: Construction and disturbance risks

Clearing, vehicle access, earthworks and machinery movement can crush nests, remove tussocks and disturb incubating males or dependent young. Sudden disturbance may flush birds from cover, although they usually fly only a short distance.

Avoid assuming that a site is unoccupied because birds are not seen during daylight. The species is mainly active at dusk and night and is difficult to detect in dense grass.

Threats: Fire, hydrology and predators

The supplied documents do not identify a fire regime, predator species, disease threat, road mortality rate or hydrology threshold specific to the Red-backed Buttonquail. Fire and changes to wetland or drainage conditions should nevertheless be assessed because the species depends on dense wet grass cover and areas near water.

Changes that dry wet grassland, remove tussocks or alter the vegetation structure may reduce breeding and foraging habitat. Road and access planning should minimise unnecessary movement through intact wet grass cover.

Survey methodology: 1. Map and assess habitat

Survey effort should focus on dense, wet or tussocky grassland near water, with additional checks of rough grassland, open woodland and cropped land. The species is secretive, most active at dusk and night, and may remain still or run rather than fly when disturbed.

Before field searches, map dense wet grassland, tall tussock bases, wet areas, drainage lines and nearby water. Include adjacent rough grassland, open woodland and cropped land in the assessment.

Record the condition, continuity and disturbance of suitable grassland and the locations of water, dense cover and potential nesting areas.

Typical habitat: Dense wet grassland, rough tussocky grassland, woods and cropped land, usually near water in Australia

Breeding period: October to June

  • Complete the habitat assessment across the full disturbance footprint and any access tracks, compounds or laydown areas.
  • Extend the search to retained habitat adjoining the footprint because the species may move through connected grassland and its movements are poorly documented.

Survey methodology: 2. Dusk and nocturnal searches

Search during the species' main activity period, from dusk into the night. Use quiet walking searches through suitable grassland and along wet edges, recording all detections and signs of use.

Use a cautious approach because the bird is secretive and may freeze or run. Record birds that flush, noting the direction and approximate distance of movement.

Daily activity: Mostly active at dusk and at night

Detection behaviour: May freeze or run when disturbed, and usually flies only a short distance

Call: A soft repeated ‘oom-oom-oom-oom’ with the end of each note ascending in pitch

  • Conduct searches in suitable weather and avoid conditions that make safe detection or access impractical, such as heavy rain, flooding or unsafe wind.
  • Use torches to scan tussock bases and wet grassland edges, while keeping disturbance low and avoiding repeated close approaches.
  • Listen for the reported soft, repeated ‘oom-oom-oom-oom’ call, with the end of each note ascending in pitch.

Survey methodology: 3. Targeted daytime and pre-clearance searches

Use slow daytime searches to inspect dense grass, tussock bases and wet areas before clearing. Daytime searches are supplementary because the species is primarily active at dusk and night.

Where safe and authorised, walk parallel transects through suitable habitat and gently inspect cover rather than relying only on birds that flush. Record the transect location, date, time, observers, weather, area searched and detection outcome.

Nest location: At the base of a grass tussock, usually among tall grasses in a wet area

Nest structure: A grass-lined scoop, often roofed with nearby woven grasses

Typical group size: Alone, in pairs or in small groups of up to five birds

  • Use a consistent transect spacing and search speed for the project, and document both the spacing and the total area searched.
  • Treat an apparently empty search as inconclusive where dense cover, poor visibility or unsuitable timing limits detection.
  • Repeat searches where the first search is interrupted, visibility is poor or clearing is delayed beyond the validity period set in the fauna management plan.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

The supplied documents do not provide a species-specific number of nights, hours, trap nights, transect spacing or survey area. Set these parameters in the project survey plan using the size and quality of habitat, the disturbance risk, access and the relevant state survey guidance.

  • Prioritise at least one dusk to night search of every suitable habitat patch before clearing, and add repeat searches where habitat is extensive, detection conditions are poor or a bird is detected.
  • Do not use trapping as a default method for this secretive ground bird unless a suitably qualified ecologist has demonstrated that it is necessary, lawful and safe, and has specified trap type, trap nights, checking intervals and weather limits.
  • Submit confirmed records, including negative survey results where required by the approval, to the relevant state wildlife database.
  • Report the date, coordinates, habitat, survey effort, observers, detection method, behaviour, photographs or recordings where available, and any management response.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Plan works around the species' wet grassland habitat and its October to June breeding period. Retain suitable cover wherever practicable and treat occupied or repeatedly used habitat as a project constraint.

Keep dense wet and tussocky grassland, wet edges and nearby water outside the disturbance footprint where practicable.

Retain connected patches of grassland and links between wet areas, because the species is ground dwelling and its movements are poorly documented.

Avoid unnecessary clearing of tall grass tussocks, particularly in wet areas where nests may be concealed at the tussock base.

  • Set out no-go areas around retained grassland, wet areas and water before machinery enters the site.
  • Keep access tracks, stockpiles, spoil and compounds out of suitable habitat unless the approved design cannot avoid it.
  • Use the smallest practicable clearing footprint and prevent vehicles from widening the approved work area.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Check the current Commonwealth and state conservation status before works commence. The supplied project information identifies the species as vulnerable in New South Wales and not listed under the EPBC Act.

Obtain any required state wildlife permits, scientific licences, animal ethics approvals or project approvals before survey, capture, handling or relocation.

Breeding period to consider in scheduling: October to June

Project listing information supplied: EPBC Act not listed; vulnerable in New South Wales

  • Refer the project under the EPBC Act if the project scope or species status changes and the species becomes nationally listed or may be affected as a listed matter.
  • Schedule clearing outside the October to June breeding period where practicable, and obtain ecological advice before clearing during that period.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that defines survey limits, spotter catcher authority, stop-work triggers, handling and release procedures, veterinary arrangements, incident reporting and monitoring.
  • Stage clearing so that retained habitat is available before each work area is opened.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

Complete the approved pre-clearance survey shortly before works, with particular attention to wet tussocky grassland, tussock bases and dense cover.

Mark retained habitat, no-go areas, access routes and any nest or bird locations on plans and on the ground before machinery arrives.

  • Install exclusion fencing where it can protect retained grassland, wet areas or water edges without creating a hazard or blocking fauna movement.
  • Brief the supervisor, operators and fauna spotter catcher on the mapped habitat, approved footprint, stop-work process and daily inspection requirements.
  • Check that the spotter catcher has the required authority, equipment, transport containers and contacts for a veterinarian or wildlife carer before clearing begins.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery interface

Use active supervision during all clearing in or beside suitable habitat. The fauna spotter catcher should control the fauna response, while the operator follows the agreed exclusion zones and stop-work instructions.

Inspect exclusion fencing, no-go markers, wet areas and access routes at the start of each shift and after heavy weather or site changes.

The fauna spotter catcher should walk the approved work area ahead of machinery, maintain a safe position and direct the operator to stop when fauna or suitable concealed habitat is found.

Keep machinery speed low in or beside grassland and avoid driving over retained tussocks, wet edges or water margins.

  • Clear in stages from the disturbed area towards retained habitat where safe, allowing mobile fauna to move away without being forced into roads, machinery or enclosed work areas.
  • Stop machinery before the spotter catcher enters the work zone or approaches a suspected nest, bird or injured animal.
  • Do not allow workers to chase, corner, catch or handle the bird unless they are authorised and trained to do so.

During habitat disturbance: Fauna response and habitat features

If a red-backed buttonquail is found, stop work in the immediate area and allow the authorised fauna spotter catcher to assess it from a safe distance. The species may freeze or run, and may fly only a short distance when disturbed.

Do not disturb a suspected nest at the base of a tussock. Establish a temporary exclusion area and obtain ecological advice on whether the nest is active and how works can proceed.

Potential breeding location: Base of a grass tussock, usually among tall grasses in a wet area

Disturbance response: May freeze or run; it seldom takes to the wing and usually does not travel far when it flies

  • Use only approved, species-appropriate capture and transport methods if handling is necessary, and minimise handling time and noise.
  • Release a healthy bird into nearby retained habitat that is suitable, connected and outside the immediate work area, where release is authorised and the bird is assessed as fit.
  • Transfer an injured bird promptly to a veterinarian or authorised wildlife carer, and record the transfer and advice received.
  • Do not relocate a bird across roads, into unsuitable dry habitat or into an area exposed to immediate machinery, dogs or other hazards.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

Stop work in the affected area if a bird, active nest, injured animal or unapproved habitat impact is identified, or if exclusion fencing, marked boundaries or safe fauna supervision fails.

Resume only after the fauna spotter catcher and relevant project ecologist confirm that the response, exclusion area and work method comply with the fauna management plan and approvals.

  • Record every sighting, nest, capture, attempted capture, injury, mortality, release, veterinary transfer and stop-work event.
  • Record coordinates, date, time, habitat, behaviour, work activity, machinery involved, personnel, photographs and the management action taken.
  • Notify the project environmental officer and approval holders of any injury, mortality, unauthorised clearing or breach of the fauna management plan.
  • Submit required records to the relevant state wildlife database and retain them in the project environmental file.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance inspection

Post-clearance checks should confirm that no bird, nest or injured fauna remains in the work area and that retained habitat controls are still effective. Use the results to adjust later stages of the project.

Inspect the cleared area, retained grassland edges, wet areas and access routes after each clearing stage and before the next stage begins.

Check tussock bases and dense cover at the edge of the disturbance area for birds, nests, injured animals or signs that fauna has been trapped within fencing or the work site.

  • Remove or modify temporary fencing only when the fauna management plan permits it and the area is safe for fauna movement.
  • Repair damaged exclusion fencing and reinstate no-go markers before further works.
  • Complete additional dusk or night searches if a bird was detected during clearing, if suitable habitat remains isolated or if the project ecologist considers detection risk high.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Monitor retained wet grassland, tussock cover, water edges and connectivity during construction and after completion. The monitoring plan should define the frequency, duration, locations and success measures because the supplied documents do not specify a species-specific monitoring schedule.

Habitat condition to monitor: Dense wet or tussocky grassland, nearby water, retained cover and connectivity

Known population concern: Suitable habitat is being degraded and the overall number of birds is thought to be decreasing

  • Use repeat dusk and night observations, call detections and habitat condition checks to identify continued use of retained areas.
  • Track weed invasion, changed drainage, sedimentation, fire impacts, vehicle access and loss of tussock cover as pressures on habitat.
  • Report survey results, incidents, management actions and monitoring outcomes to the relevant approval authority and state wildlife database where required.
  • Apply approved offsets or other compensatory measures if residual impacts remain and the approval requires them.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should recreate the wet, dense ground cover used by the species rather than only replacing canopy vegetation. Design the works to restore tussock structure, wet areas and links to retained habitat.

Re-establish dense native tussocky grassland in and around the disturbance area, using locally appropriate native grasses and sedges suited to the site's rainfall, soils and hydrology.

Restore wet grassland near water where it was present before construction, while preventing erosion, sediment entry and abrupt drainage changes.

Reinstate links between restored patches and retained grassland so ground-dwelling birds can move through continuous cover.

Preferred habitat structure: Dense wet grassland and rough, tussocky grassland

Nest habitat to recreate: Tall grass around tussock bases in wet areas

  • Use local provenance seed or tubestock where practicable and specify species with the project ecologist and land manager because the supplied documents do not name particular Australian plant species.
  • Protect establishing tussocks from vehicles, grazing, mowing and unnecessary slashing.
  • Do not replace suitable wet grassland with short mown grass, dense introduced pasture or bare drainage infrastructure.

Rehabilitation actions: Manage threats and site condition

Control weeds that reduce native tussock density or alter wet grassland structure, using methods that do not damage retained habitat or contaminate water.

Manage introduced predators, domestic animals and vehicle access where they threaten restored or retained grassland, in accordance with the approved site management plan.

Plan fire management with the land manager and fire authority so burning does not remove all dense cover during the breeding period or leave restored habitat unsuitable.

Breeding period relevant to maintenance: October to June

Food resources: Grass and sedge seeds, other seeds, green plant matter and insects

  • Maintain wetland hydrology and prevent sediment, pollutants and construction runoff from entering restored habitat.
  • Retain natural grass litter and tussock structure where it does not create an approved fire or safety hazard.
  • Avoid broadscale mowing or slashing during October to June unless it is required for safety and has been assessed for nests and fauna impacts.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Monitor restored areas at dusk and night, supported by daytime habitat checks, because the species is secretive and mainly active after dark.

Set success measures before rehabilitation begins, including establishment of dense native tussock cover, persistence of wet grassland, protection of water edges and reconnection of habitat patches.

Survey timing for rehabilitation monitoring: Dusk and night, with supplementary daytime habitat checks

Species detection limitation: Secretive, difficult to detect and likely to freeze or run when disturbed

  • Record the area and condition of restored grassland, tussock density or cover using a consistent project method, weed cover, hydrology, fire impacts and evidence of fauna use.
  • Repeat monitoring for the period required by the approval and increase management where habitat fails to establish or dries out.
  • Treat a confirmed red-backed buttonquail record or repeated call detection in restored habitat as evidence of use, but do not treat non-detection alone as proof that rehabilitation has failed.
  • Submit confirmed records to the relevant state wildlife database and retain rehabilitation and monitoring reports with the project environmental records.

Sources