Dark-backed wood quail
The dark-backed wood quail (Odontophorus melanonotus) is a bird species in the family Odontophoridae, which is the New World quail. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador. Taxonomy and systematics The dark-backed wood quail is one of 15 species in the genus Odontophorus. Within the genus, it is part of the chestnut wood quail species complex. At various times it has been proposed or considered as conspecific with chestnut wood quail (O. hyperythrus), rufous-fronted wood quail (O. erythrops), and rufous-breasted wood quail (O. speciosus). The generic name Odontophorus is from the Greek odontophoros, meaning tooth-bearing. The specific epithet melanonotus is from the Greek melas, meaning black, and notus, meaning backed. The species is monotypic. Description The dark-backed wood quail is long. Both males and females weigh about . Adults of both sexes are overall brownish black with fine chestnut vermiculation. The throat and breast are reddish chestnut. The juvenile is similarly colored but duller overall. Distribution and habitat The dark-backed wood quail is found in the Andes from southern Colombia's Nariño Department south to Cotopaxi Province in Ecuador. It inhabits primary and secondary tropical forest in the fairly narrow altitudinal band between . Though primarily terrestrial, it roosts above ground