About
The New Caledonian Buttonquail is only know from the type specimen (the original individual from which this species was described), which is currently in the British Museum.
This species was described in 1911, and has not been recorded since then. Fossil specimens have been found at shallow depths at the Pindai Caves, which makes its extinction less certain. Local residents report that this species was present in grass land areas in the north of the island. Although proper surveys and fieldwork have not recorded this species since the early 20th century, these efforts have not been regarded as comprehensive enough. If any population were to remain, it is expect to be tiny. The threats to this species include habitat clearance and degradation particularly due to agricultural intensification, urbanisation, fire and also the effects of hunting from introduced predators. No conservation actions are currently known for this species. This species is part of the Buttonquails (Turnicidae) family, which diverged from all other bird species 42 million years ago, during the Paleogene period. The genus Turnix diverged within the Turnicidiae family 31.1 million years ago, also in the Paleogene period.
- Order: Charadriiformes
- Family: Turnicidae
- Population: <50
- Trend: unknown
- Size: 75mm
EDGE Score
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Caledonia.
Habitat and Ecology
This species is known from the grasslands of the west coast and perhaps in the north of the island.