Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Turnix everetti is endemic to the island of Sumba, Indonesia, thus has a relatively small range. While its population size is not known, however, it is common in grasslands where found, and the extent of this habitat is probably stable (or may be increasing in response to localised forest clearance), as the population trend is also suspected to be. While the species remains enigmatic and very poorly known, its extinction risk is therefore projected to be low. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern.
Population justification
The population size has not been estimated, but it is described as fairly common (Linsley et al. 1998, Eaton et al. 2021). Although it was not detected at any survey stations in Jones et al. (1997), these stations were placed in habitat that was inappropriate for this species (i.e. not grassland) given the concentrated effort on forest birds. They did, however, encounter up to 17 T. everetti at a single site in 1992 and found buttonquail species at every grassland site they visited (given the relative encounter rate for Turnix species on Sumba not established [eBird 2023], a large number of these were probably T. everetti rather than T. maculosus).
Although there has been no dedicated survey for it in the interim, citizen science data now confirm the suggestion made by previous reviews (Jones et al. 1997, BirdLife International 2001) that the species is locally common, with records from sites across much of the island, often in counts close to, or surpassing, double figures (eBird 2023). Accordingly, while the total global population size cannot be estimated here, it is probably not particularly small given the total size of Sumba (11,000 km2) and the increasing proliferation of cleared grassland habitats.
Trend justification
The population trend of Turnix everetti is considered stable. This species is evidently dependent on grasslands which are widespread across Sumba (Jones et al. 1995, Linsley et al. 1998, BirdLife International 2001, eBird 2023). While it is possible that the species becomes locally scarcer in some years in response to, e.g., burning of grasslands, these areas likely recover relatively quickly, and the overall area of suitable habitat across the island in any given year probably remains close to stable. In some parts of Sumba, the area of habitat may even be increasing in response to (localised) clearance of forest and scrub (Global Forest Watch 2023). In the absence of other identified threats, the population is therefore suspected to be stable.
Turnix everetti is endemic to the island of Sumba, Nusa Tenggara (Lesser Sundas) Indonesia (BirdLife International 2001).
It inhabits sparse, dry grassland and scrub, often in a mosaic, and appears to be less common in cultivated areas. Although probably sedentary, seasonal movements may occur in response to food availability.
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species.
13-14 cm. Small, short-legged, buttonquail. Upperparts vermiculated black, tawny, grey and white. Wing-coverts more rufous. Rich rufous chest, black-and-white scaling on sides of neck. White throat and belly. Stout blue-grey bill and pinkish legs. Similar spp. Sympatric race of Red-backed Buttonquail T. maculosa sumbana has small yellow bill, yellow legs, more extensive rufous on underparts and black spots on chest sides. Voice Undocumented.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Eaton, J., Benstead, P., Davidson, P., Tobias, J., Taylor, J., Bird, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sumba Buttonquail Turnix everetti. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sumba-buttonquail-turnix-everetti on 22/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/11/2024.