Other Scientific Names
Turnix sylvatica [BirdLife International (2004)], Turnix sylvatica [Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994)], Turnix sylvatica [Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993)], Turnix sylvatica [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)]
Other Names (World)
Common Buttonquail, Small Buttonquail, Striped Buttonquail, Little Buttonquail(!), Kurrichane Buttonquail, Andalusian Hemipode, Bustard Quail
Subspecies celestinoi of south-eastern Philippines sometimes referred to Red-backed Button-quail (Turnix maculosus). Several formerly recognized subspecies now considered indistinguishable: alleni and arenaria merged into single African subspecies lepurana; mikado merged into eastern Asian davidi.
The following 9 subspecies are recognised:
sylvaticus (Desfontaines, 1787) - Relictual in southern Spain and north-western African coast.
lepurana (Smith, A, 1836) - Sub-Saharan Africa, except forests and deserts.
dussumier (Temminck, 1828) - Western parts of south-eastern Asia, from India to Myanmar; possibly eastern Iran (unconfirmed).
davidi Delacour & Jabouille, 1930 - Eastern parts of south-eastern Asia, from Indochina through southern China to Taiwan.
celestinoi McGregor, 1907 - Bohol and Mindanao (south-eastern Philippines).
suluensis Mearns, 1905 - Sulu Is (Swest of Mindanao).
bartelsorum Neumann, 1929 - Java and Bali.
Similar Species
Luzon Buttonquail (Turnix worcesteri) has face finely barred with buff and black, more sharply contrasting buff edges to feathers on upperparts, and breast, flanks, and undertail coverts rufous.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet