Habitat
Undisturbed, closed-canopy of wet subtropical forest, secondary forest with dense and tangled understorey and fairly open canopy on steep slopes. From 1,100 - 1,900 m.
Mountains of north-western Ecuador and south-western Colombia.
 
Population
Estimated population is 10,000 - 20,000 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Deforestation through intensive logging, human settlement and cattle-grazing and hunting for food are the major threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Habits
Typically groups of 2-10 individuals.
Food
Terrestrial invertebrates and fruit.
Voice
A loud three-phrase rollicking song often heard as a duet by entire family group.
Dark-backed Wood Quail (Odontophorus melanonotus) [XC105792]
by Paul Coopmans from San Francisco - Monta\u00f1a entre Mashpi - Pachijal 0\u00b06'42.66''N 78\u00b054'9.85''O, Ecuador (call, whistle - contact call)
Dark-backed Wood Quail (Odontophorus melanonotus) [XC276308]
by Oscar Campbell from Carchi: Chilma, Ecuador (song)