Black-breasted Wood-Quail
The Black-breasted Wood-Quail is a shy, terrestrial game bird found in humid montane forests from Costa Rica to Peru, notable for its striking black breast, rufous upperparts, and elusive nature as it forages in pairs or small groups on the forest floor.
Odontophorus leucolaemus
Scientific Name
Odontophoridae (New World Quails)
Family
Galliformes
Order
Range and Habitat of Black-breasted Wood-Quail
Geographic Range
Endemic to highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama (Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro provinces)
Migratory Patterns
Non-migratory resident.
Preferred Habitat
Primary cloud forests, mature secondary forests, dense understory with bamboo, ravines with thick vegetation, forest edges with dense cover
Altitude Range
Most common 1,200-2,400 m, occasionally 900-2,700 m
Costa Rica Habitat
- Cordillera de Tilarán (including Monteverde)
- Cordillera Central
- Cordillera de Talamanca
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Conservation Status
Population Status
Endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama
Habitat loss due to deforestation
Conservation efforts
Protected in multiple national parks and reserves, hunting prohibited by Costa Rican law
Primary Threats
Habitat loss due to deforestation
Black-breasted Wood-Quail Identification
How to Identify the Species
Rarity Level:
UncommonBest Viewing Times:
Early Morning (Dawn - 8 AM)
Size
Length: 22-25 cm; Weight: Males 280-320 g; Females 260-295 g
Plumage
Adult males: Crown and crest rufous-brown. Face and throat white with bold black malar stripe. Upper breast black, forming distinctive bib. Lower breast and belly dark rufous-chestnut. Back and wings dark brown with fine vermiculations. Flanks barred black and white. Undertail coverts rufous with black bars.
Adult females: Similar pattern but black breast reduced or mottled with brown. Throat buffier. Overall slightly duller coloration.
Distinctive Features
Short, stout black bill (14-16 mm), strong orange-red legs and feet. White throat contrasting with black breast, short rounded wings
Sexual Dimorphism
Males have more extensive solid black breast patch; females show mottled or reduced black on breast. Males are slightly larger.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
Primary Diet
- Seeds, fallen fruits and seeds from forest floor, beetles, ants, spiders, larvae, earthworms, snails
Foraging Techniques
- Scratches through leaf litter with powerful feet, uses backwards jumping-scratch technique
Feeding Times
- Most active early morning (5:30-8:00) and late afternoon (15:00-17:30)
Behavior Patterns
Black-breasted Wood-Quail
Social Structure
Forms coveys of 4-8 individuals, occasionally up to 12. Family groups remain together year-round.
Song and Vocalization
Loud, rhythmic “chorr-chorr-CHORR-kla-kla-kla” accelerating at end.
Courtship and Mating Ritual
Male performs tidbitting display offering food, chest-puffing displays showing black breast
Territoriality
Coveys maintain territories of 5-10 hectares with minimal overlap; defended through vocal choruses rather than physical confrontation.
Birdwatching Tips
Best Locations for Spotting Black-breasted Wood-Quail
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (main trails)
- San Gerardo de Dota (riverside trails)
- Savegre Mountain Lodge forest trails
- Los Quetzales National Park
- Tapantí National Park (Oropéndola trail)
- Bosque de Paz Lodge
- Cerro de la Muerte lower elevations
- Bajos del Toro area
Best Time of the Year
Year-round, but most vocal April-June during breeding season
Common Behavior
Listen for chorusing at dawn and dusk, walk quietly along trails listening for scratching sounds.
Recommended Gear
- 8×42 binoculars for forest birding
- Headlamp for pre-dawn positioning
- Waterproof boots for muddy trails
Breeding and Nesting Behavior
Breeding Season
April-June peak (early wet season), occasional September-October
Nesting Sites
Domed structure with side entrance, made of dead leaves, twigs, moss, and fern fronds. Usually hidden at base of tree, under log, or in bank.
Clutch Size
3-5 eggs (usually 4)
Incubation Period
28-30 days
Parental Care
Female incubates alone; male guards nearby. Both parents lead chicks to feeding areas. Chicks precocial, leave nest within hours of hatching. Family groups remain together for months.
Did You Know?
Interesting Behaviors
Coveys perform synchronized “explosive burst” escape, scattering in all directions
Cultural Significance
In rural Costa Rican folklore, their morning chorus is said to predict weather – persistent calling indicates approaching rain
Surprising Traits
Individual birds recognizable by unique throat pattern variations
How do I identify this bird?
Look for a chicken-sized ground bird with distinctive white throat, black breast, and rufous crest. The combination of white face with black malar stripe and black breast is unique among Costa Rican wood-quails. Listen for loud chorusing at dawn.
Where is the best place to see it in Costa Rica?
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve offers good chances along the main trails early morning. San Gerardo de Dota valley also reliable, especially along the river trail at dawn. Walk quietly and listen for scratching sounds in leaf litter.
Is it endangered?
Listed as Least Concern but declining due to habitat loss. Endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama highlands, making it vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and climate change impacts on cloud forests.