Madagascar Buttonquail

Turnix nigricollis

Range

• Madagascar

Habitat

• Grasslands

Diet

• Insects

Males care for the young, incubating eggs for up to 13 to 16 days which is among the shortest of any bird.

While the male watches the eggs, the larger female will patrol the area and keep away competition and predators. Though they are a small bird, they are closely related to cranes. Males and females differ slightly with the males having white chests and throats with black bars.