Check Out the Baby Bird That’s Smaller Than a Quarter

Adult button quails are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and chicks are even smaller. This ground-dwelling species is very rare and only found in thick grasslands. They’re the smallest quails on earth, and the chick in this video is tiny enough to fit on a quarter! Here’s what else you can learn about this cute little quail.

What Is a Button Quail?

Button quails are flightless birds. Their wings are only strong enough to lift them off the ground temporarily. They survive as ground dwellers in Australia, South Asia, Africa, and Europe, where they prefer tropical climates. The grasslands and forests of these areas make hunting and foraging easy, and they eat mainly insects and small plants. Button quails sometimes join true quail flocks but are homely animals, occasionally traveling in pairs.

This species also has an interesting gender dynamic. Females are stronger and build nests while courting males who incubate and care for chicks. They’re part of the Turnicidae bird family, which includes equally small quail plovers.

Button Quails Are Among the Smallest Birds

Adult button quails can be anywhere from three to seven inches long when they mature. A hen will lay up to 12 eggs annually, which take almost two weeks to hatch. At birth, button quail chicks are the same size as bumblebees and must be handled carefully. They usually weigh less than an ounce and can be tricky to hold. According to 3 Chickens & a Boat, picking up a newborn button quail resembles holding a cricket. They’re bouncy, active, and small enough to sneak through open hands!

They’re Docile, But Skittish

Button quails can be tricky to tame and train. They’re skittish and are easily spooked, but they love running around. These high-speed birds are known for taking off and running around rooms or enclosures. While they are solitary animals, they appreciate having more of their kind in an enclosure to hide with. Although button quails can’t properly fly, they still require tall enclosures because they are prone to jumping. The caretaker in this video is carefully holding a button quail chick to avoid losing or spooking the bird.

Many people keep button quails as pets, but it requires plenty of time, patience, and attention. These birds need proper enclosures and plenty of safe places to hide. Each quail has a unique personality, but most are quiet and shy like this one!