Barbary Partridge vs Stubble Quail
Alectoris barbara compared with Coturnix pectoralis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Barbary Partridge | Stubble Quail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alectoris barbara | Coturnix pectoralis |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.6 cm (12.8 in) | 20.0 cm (7.9 in) |
| Weight | 418.5 g (14.76 oz) | 100.5 g (3.55 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, berries, shoots, and invertebrates in North African scrub, rocky terrain, and farmland. | Eats grass seeds, grain, and invertebrates in Australian cropland and native grassland. |
| Clutch Size | 6-27 | 5-14 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Barbary Partridge
Loud, nasal 'kee-kee-kee-KARRR' calls from N African rocky terrain; slightly lower than Red-legged Partridge. Alarm is rapid cackling cackle. Pairs call in duet at dawn on rocky hillsides and scrub.
Stubble Quail
Distinctive 'two-to-WHIT' three-note call; slightly higher-pitched and more ringing than Common Quail. Australian croplands species calling from stubble fields. Alarm a soft 'pip'.
Geographic Range & Migration
Barbary Partridge
Resident of rocky hillsides, scrub, and coastal areas in North Africa (Morocco to Libya), Canary Islands, Sardinia, Gibraltar, and Madeira.
Stubble Quail
Resident of dry grassland, stubble, and open farmland across southern and eastern Australia; nomadic, following rainfall.
Conservation Status
Barbary Partridge
Stubble Quail
How to Tell Them Apart
Barbary Partridge
Blue-grey upperparts; chestnut-spotted white flank bars; grey crown; rufous-brown collar with white spots; reddish-orange bill and legs; white face. Closely resembles Red-legged Partridge but collar spotted.
Stubble Quail
Brown and buff streaked upperparts; pale buff underparts with bold dark brown streaking; male with orange-buff face and rufous throat; dark anchor marks on flanks. Female plainer; buff throughout with …
About These Birds
Barbary Partridge
A medium Phasianidae partridge (~419 g) of rocky hillsides, scrub, and open slopes across North Africa, the Canary Islands, and Gibraltar. Grey-brown with a spotted chestnut-necklace pattern. Lives in pairs or small coveys; feeds on seeds, bulbs, and invertebrates. Least Concern; introduced as a gamebird in several regions.
Stubble Quail
A medium-small Phasianidae quail (~101 g) of cereal stubble, grassland, and heath across southern and eastern Australia. Brown-streaked; males have an orange face and rusty-streaked breast. Nomadic; exploits ephemeral seed crops. Feeds on seeds and invertebrates. Significant gamebird in Australia; Least Concern.