The Mearn’s quail also known as the harlequin quail (Coturnix delegorguei) is a small bird in the family Phasianidae, found in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is named after the collector Adulphe Delegorgue.
This ground-dwelling bird is shy and inconspicuous, typically found in habitats with thick ground cover, such as grasslands and crop fields. The male harlequin quail is noted for its bold and beautiful plumage, while the female is plain brown.
Harlequin quails are most often detected by their distinctive call: a three-part whistle featuring a longer first “whit” note followed by two quicker “whit” notes. While the male is easily recognizable, the female can be confused with the Common Quail when seen only in flight. However, if observed closely, the female harlequin quail is darker and more uniform, lacking the bright white belly and bold back streaking of the Common Quail. The female is also similar to buttonquails but features a duller and less complex pattern.
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