The Rufous-breasted Wood Quail, also known as the Yellow-legged Wood Quail, is a species of bird that belongs to the family of New World quails. These birds are endemic to Central and South America and can be found in the tropical forests of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and other countries in the region. They prefer to live in the understory of lush, humid forests, where they can be heard communicating with other birds through various calls and songs.
The Rufous-breasted Wood Quail is a small bird, measuring around 23-28 cm in length, and weighing about 200-250 grams. It has a brown or greyish-brown head, neck and upperparts, with a distinctive rufous-colored breast and belly. It has a yellow bill and legs and a red or orange eye. This bird is sexually dimorphic, meaning that males and females have different physical characteristics. The males have a yellow iris, while the females have a brown iris.
These birds are primarily herbivorous, feeding on fruits, berries, seeds, and insects that they find while foraging on the forest floor. They are also known to eat small amphibians and reptiles. They are generally shy and reclusive birds, often found in pairs or small groups.
The Rufous-breasted Wood Quail is a poorly studied bird species, and not much is known about its breeding behavior. They are generally believed to be monogamous, with pairs forming long-term bonds. Both male and female birds share the responsibilities of building the nest, incubating the eggs, and caring for the chicks.
Like many other bird species in the region, the Rufous-breasted Wood Quail is threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation, logging, and agricultural expansion. These factors have led to a significant decline in their population size, and they are now considered to be Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservation efforts are needed to protect these birds and their habitats, including measures to reduce deforestation and illegal hunting.