Barred buttonquail

Kamalapur, Hampi, Karnataka

Again another beautiful quail. Absolutely small by size, absolutely stunning by its plumage. I remember being in Bengal I used to search for this bird in Barshul Damodar river bed because it is mostly found there in Bengal but never came across it. So that search was always went on. I never thought it can be found in Hampi trip even thought habitat was in favor. It was the time when we were returning from Daroji sloth bear sanctuary and on the way it crossed our camper. I did not saw it first, but our driver did and told us. The I saw it was running behind the bush and noticed it was so small and the camouflage was so unreal. I knew this quail respond to the call very well. So I started playing the call from my mobile as I wanted to see this bird once in front of my eyes. That is when it started coming out of the bush towards our car. We were sitting without breathing fearing that it won't run away again. But because of the call I played it kept searching for its partner. Btw this was an adult male appeared.

Then it kept moving around our car and started responding to the call. And I saw it beside our car, fluffing its feather roaming and searching for its partner thinking she is on trouble. This incident last for 2 minutes and I kept taking pictures and watching the tiny beauty.

At last we saw 3rd call was coming from near by. Then we understood the female responded to its call and appear in front of the male. And the male understood the female it safe and someone else is mocking their call. So immediately the both ran away as both find each other safe. Oh boy it was a great experience to watch them.

Byatarayana Doddi Kere, Karnataka

We all know Barred-button quail is very shy when they find human presence from far. But I noticed none of the quails are that shy if you stay inside the car. That time you can approach them from nearby. In Byatarayana Doddi Kere I never expected I can see this quail even thought the habitat is good for quails. By due to size, behaviour or camouflage we miss out taking pictures most of the time. That day it was almost 11 am and we were about to return. All of a sudden I found something is moving far on the ground. By its walk I understood it is BBQ. Then I started to go a bit nearby so that I can take pictures at least one. You can't believe it was so hard to find as I step in. Due to size and camouflage I was totally lost hope to photograph through my point and shoot camera. More I go nearby more it disappeared and I lost my fate. Later I understood It was watching me open and it did not move at all. But I could not see it at all. Then once I shift my position a bit, it thought that is the chance it can run away and it started to do so. Luckily I got this two record shot and was a bit happy once I saw it in laptop after coming back home. Can you imagine how difficult it was to point out it in pictures !

Bannerghatta Hilltop, Karnataka