Retaining the 'art': Painted Button-quail Turnix varius do make platelets in north-eastern Queensland

Patrick T.D. Webster, Stephen A. Murphy, Nicholas P. Leseberg, James E.M. Watson


Abstract

Button-quail Turnix spp. forage in a unique manner, leaving behind circular scratched depressions in the substrate known as platelets. These platelets offer an indirect method of surveying an otherwise cryptic and shy group of birds. Painted Button-quail T. varius are well known for creating platelets throughout most of their distribution. However, following 8 years of surveys from 1992 to 2000 in North Queensland, Nielsen (2000, p. 25) failed to locate any platelets and questioned whether Painted Button-quail in North Queensland may have "lost the art of forming platelets?". During surveys in North Queensland between 2017 and 2022, we found extensive evidence at multiple locations of Painted Button-quail creating platelets that were consistent in size, shape, and placement with descriptions from elsewhere throughout the species' distribution. A marked seasonal difference in occurrence and density of platelets was detected. Platelets were scarce from January to April, whichcoincides with the wet season, and increased in abundance throughout the dry season, with a peak at the end of the dry season (September-December). Platelets may represent a viable method for detecting Painted Button-quail in North Queensland, particularly during the dry season.

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