Kingdom Animalia Genus Turnix Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Turnicidae Scientific name Turnix hottentottus Higher classification Turnix Order Shorebirds | |
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Similar Black‑rumped buttonquail, Turnix, Chestnut‑backed buttonquail, Sumba buttonquail, Madagascan buttonquail | ||
World conservation first hottentot buttonquail capture
The Hottentot buttonquail (Turnix hottentottus) is a bird in the family Turnicidae formerly considered conspecific with the black-rumped buttonquail (Turnix nanus).
Contents
Range
The species is endemic to South Africa and is found along the south coast from Cape town to Algoa Bay in Eastern Cape province. There are no subspecies.
Population
A 1994 survey resulted in an estimate of c.310-420 birds in 25 square kilometres (9.7 sq mi) of montane fynbos habitat in Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The lack of records suggest that this may be an overestimate, and extrapolation of a much lower density estimate from a 1990 study would result in a total population across the Western Cape of just 400 birds (Lee 2013). The total population is therefore uncertain, but given the lack of recent records is assumed to be very small. It is precautionarily estimated to lie within the band of 250-999 mature individuals, with no more than 250 individuals in the largest subpopulation.
Habitat
Occurs in mountain fynbos where vegetation is relatively sparse.
