Ophrysia superciliosa
CR

Ophrysia superciliosa

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_quail

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Himalayan Quail faces extinction primarily due to extensive habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in the Himalayan foothills. Deforestation and conversion of grassland-scrub habitats to farmland have eliminated much of its preferred terrain. The species has not been reliably recorded since 1876, suggesting populations may have already collapsed due to these cumulative pressures across its limited range in northern India.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Himalayan Quail inhabits tall grasslands, scrublands, and forest edges in the Himalayan foothills between 1,650-2,400 meters elevation. It prefers areas with dense grass cover interspersed with rocky outcrops and scattered bushes, particularly in the Terai region and lower mountain slopes of Uttarakhand.

Forest· majorShrubland· majorWetlands (inland)· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Ophrysia superciliosa classified as Critically Endangered?
Ophrysia superciliosa is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Himalayan Quail faces extinction primarily due to extensive habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in the Himalayan foothills. Deforestation and conversion of grassland-scrub habitats to farmland have eliminated much of its preferred terrain. The species has not been reliably recorded since 1876, suggesting populations may have already collapsed due to these cumulative pressures across its limited range in northern India.
Where does Ophrysia superciliosa live?
Ophrysia superciliosa occurs in India. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Ophrysia superciliosa?
The main threats to Ophrysia superciliosa are 3.2, 5.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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