>Turnix worcesteri (Worcester's Buttonquail)

Worcester's Buttonquail

Worcester's Buttonquail
Conservation status
Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Turnicidae
Genus:	Turnix
Species:	T. worcesteri
Binomial name
Turnix worcesteri McGregor, 1904

The Worcester's Buttonquail or Luzon Buttonquail (Turnix worcesteri) - named after Dean Conant Worcester - is a species of bird in the Turnicidae family. It is endemic to the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland.

Locally known as "Pugo", they are known to inhabit rice paddies and scrub lands near farm areas because of the availability of seeds and insects that they feed on regularly. These birds are characterized by their black heads with white spots, a brown or fawn colored body and yellow legs on males and the females are brown with white and black spots. These birds are very secretive, choosing to make small path ways through the rice fields, which unfortunately leads to their deaths as well, they are hunted by children and young men by means of setting spring traps along their usual path ways.

Previously only known from drawings and descriptions, actual photographs of the bird were taken in early 2009. A local birdwatching group, the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, found the quail at a public market in the Caraballo mountains. The lone specimen of the threatened species, which the group took pictures and videos of, was being sold as a simple food item by locals.

Recent sighting

A news feature about the Worcester's Buttonquail was aired in the Philippines recently by documentary film-maker Howie Severino, a member of the GMA Network. It was mentioned that the documentary was the first time an actual live photo of the bird was taken. The photo was taken in Nueva Vizcaya in northern Luzon.