𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱: 𝗔 𝗥𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗮𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲

( All pictures are taken by me, kindly respect copyrights) 

08th September 2024

Male & Female

Urbanization often disrupts wildlife habitats, yet occasionally it produces unexpected benefits. A prime example is the Lahore-Sialkot motorway, where human development has unintentionally fostered a thriving microhabitat. The elevated road and its sloping embankments have become a refuge for various bird species. On these grassy slopes, Prinias flit through the undergrowth, bee-eaters dazzle with their swift flights, and bitterns stalk quietly around the wet patches. Ponds formed by runoff have further enriched the area, creating a bustling ecosystem amid the modern infrastructure.

Not long ago, I was fortunate to spot a pair of Barred Buttonquails along these embankments. They were quietly foraging on the ground, nearly invisible due to their remarkable camouflage. Their barred brown and gray plumage blended perfectly with the dry earth, making them easy to miss unless observed closely. It was a rare and thrilling encounter with these elusive ground-dwelling birds, experts at remaining hidden.

The Barred Buttonquail (*Turnix suscitator*), often mistaken for a true quail, belongs to the unique *Turnicidae* family. Unlike most birds, these buttonquails follow an unusual reproductive strategy. In a fascinating role reversal, the larger, more colorful female leads the courtship, while the smaller male takes on the responsibility of incubating the eggs and raising the chicks. This rare behavior is just one example of nature’s remarkable adaptations.

Male smaller in size

Female larger in size

Pair

Barred Buttonquails thrive in areas that offer plenty of cover and food, favoring grasslands, scrub, and forest edges. They are often drawn to agricultural fields, where the quiet environment provides ideal foraging grounds. The motorway’s embankments have inadvertently created such a habitat, giving these birds a safe space to search for seeds, insects, and small invertebrates.

Despite the busy traffic nearby, this new habitat highlights nature's resilience. The construction, designed to elevate the road, has unexpectedly formed grassy slopes that now provide shelter for species like the Barred Buttonquail. Observing this pair reminded me how wildlife adapts and thrives in even the most unexpected places, coexisting with human development.