Black-breasted wood quail
The black-breasted wood quail ("Odontophorus leucolaemus") is a bird species in the family Odontophoridae. It is found in Costa Rica and Panama. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. Taxonomy. The black-breasted wood quail is one of 15 species in the genus "Odontophorus". Within the genus, it is a part of the dusky wood quail species complex, and is sometimes considered to be conspecific with the Venezuelan wood quail, gorgeted wood quail, Tacarcuna wood quail, and the black-fronted wood quail. The generic name "Odontophorus" is from the Greek "odontophoros", meaning  tooth-bearing. The specific epithet "leucolaemus" is from the Greek "leukos", meaning white, and "laimos", meaning throat. Alternative names for the species include white-throated wood quail. The species is monotypic. Populations around Dota in Costa Rica have sometimes been split as a distinct subspecies, "O. l. smithianus" on the basis of differences in plumage, but they are generally considered a melanistic morph. Description. The black-breasted wood quail is a medium-sized species of New World quail, being in length and weighing on average for females and for males. Although males are larger than females, the sexes are otherwise  similar and can not visually be distinguished. Distribution and habitat. The black-breasted wood quail is found in Costa Rica and Panama. However, it has not been recorded from Panama since 1933, and may be extirpated from there. Behaviour and ecology. Like other "Odontophorus" species, the black-breasted wood quail is gregarious year-round and usually travels in coveys of 10-15 individuals in undergrowth on forested slopes. These feed together over small areas throughout the day, and come together at dusk to roost in low branches. They also defend group territories together by calling back and forth with neighboring  coveys, most often just after dawn, and displaying aggressively at the boundaries of their territories. Unlike other species in the genus, they do not vocalize at dusk. The species is shy and walks away in the undergrowth when approached, only flushing reluctantly. Diet. Little is known about its diet. However, it may feed on plant matter, supplementing its diet with insects. Breeding. The black-breasted wood quail's breeding habits are poorly known, but the species is most likely monogamous. Cooperative breeding has also been recorded in the species. Nesting occurs at the start of the rainy season in May  and June, but vocal activity is most intense from March-April. Nests are round hollows in leaf litter, with their entrances pointing slightly downwards, and are guarded by parties of adults. Eggs are laid in clutches of 4-6 eggs, and are white in color, eventually staining brown. Incubation takes 16-17 days.