Colinus cristatus leucotis

(Gould, 1844)

Vernacular names
English : Crested bobwhite
French : Colin écaillé

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Galliformes
Family : Odontophoridae
Notes : 13 subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach 23 cm in length for a weight up to 153 g. Small curved crest on top of head. Male is red-brown with rows of light beige spots on breast and belly. Head is reddish with black and white band near eye. Female duller. Male of this subspecies has white crest, white cheeks surrounded by orange-brown blotch and eye-brow, and white throat.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South America, from south Costa Rica and Panama to North half of Colombia, Venezuela, Guianas and extreme north Brazil. Subspecies found in Rio Magdalena valley in Colombia. Lives in arid woodland edges and savannas, up to 3100 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : This species has a huge range and remains common in many parts. However isolated mountain subspecies from Colombia are declining.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Dallas World Aquarium (USA)

 

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