In the Bumthang valley at 2600m in central Bhutan, a stampede of horses across a boggy pasture puts to flight a Quail. We stalk the Quail and acquire close views. Its either a Common Quail or a Japanese Quail female or non-breeding male. I need the latter. The picture is further clouded by winter records of Common Quail in this valley, and a breeding population of Japanese Quail in summer. ID very difficult unless they are calling or breeding plumage males. Any suggestions? I suspect Japanese (coz I need it) because of the heavily marked breast, and possibly spikey feathers on the throat. And it looked rare.
