Long-tailed Wood-Partridge Dendrortyx macroura

The Long-tailed Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx macroura) is a little-known Mexican endemic, found in highland forests characterized by a dense shrub layer in the center and south of the country. Although not considered globally at risk, it is protected by Mexican law; the main threat is habitat loss by deforestation. The Long-tailed is a large-sized, forest-adapted, Neotropical quail. The sexes are alike in plumage. This quail measures from 29 to 42 cm in length, with a body mass of 350 to 465 g. A sedentary species, it feeds mainly on the ground on seeds and small leaves, and on trees and brushes on small flowers and fruits. It roosts at night alone or in pairs in trees or brushes, singing from there at dawn and dusk. This is a monogamous quail, the  breeding period lasts from April to August. The Long-tailed Wood-Partridge builds its nest on the ground and lays a clutch of 4 to 6 eggs; newborns are precocial and nidifugous.