The California Quail is a handsome, round soccer ball of a game bird with a small head and bill and a distinctive, curled black head plume in both sexes. Its wings are short and very broad and tail is fairly long and square. Adult males are rich gray and brown, with a black face outlined with bold white stripes. Females are a plainer brown and lack the facial markings. Both sexes have a pattern of white, creamy, and chestnut scales on the belly. Young birds look like females but have a shorter topknot. Legs and feet are gray in both. Though the topknot looks like a single feather, it is actually a cluster of six overlapping plumes.
California Quail lay 12 to 16 eggs in a shallow ground depression lined with grass. (Some nests can contain as many as 28 eggs which may be the result of females laying eggs in nests other than their own, a behavior known as “egg-dumping.”)
Many quail chicks are precocial which means relatively mature and mobile from the moment of hatching, so they can leave the nest with their parents. (If you pay close attention, you might spot a parade of what appear to be little, yellow “cotton balls” being led by one parent and followed by the other. Multiple California Quail broods may mix after hatching and are attended by all the parents of those broods. It is interesting to note that adults that engage in communal brooding live longer than adults that do not.
California Quail are plentiful in the Truckee Meadows where they inhabit dry, patchy, low vegetation. Listen for their distinctive, loud “Chi-ca-go” sound, which is interesting since theyve never been to Chicago and are found only on the west coast. Theyre quite tolerant of people and can be common in city parks, suburban gardens, and agricultural areas.
California Quail are ground dwelling birds which live in coveys and enjoy community dust baths. They can fly well but prefer walking. If startled they explode into short fast flight, though they typically run from threats. They spend most of their time on the ground, walking and scratching in search of food. In morning and evening they forage beneath shrubs or on open ground near cover for seeds, fruits, berries and insects and will readily eat cracked corn, berries and millet from ground trays.They are particularly fond of newly planted seeds and tender plants. Its amazing how quickly they discover these tasty treats and then consume them! As an adaptation to living in arid environments, California Quails can often get by without water, acquiring their moisture from insects and succulent vegetation. During periods of sustained heat they must find drinking water to survive.
You can attract California Quail to your yard by sprinkling grain or birdseed on the ground and providing dense shrubbery nearby for cover. Quail Blocks are also a great way to attract these birds. Use quail blocks as a protein and mineral supplement to wild quail in native environments. Place blocks in, or near, a low bush in the general area where quail coveys are normally seen. One block will feed an average covey for two to three months.
Check with the bird feeding specialists at Moana Nursery for more information on these and other backyard birds.
Carmel Ruiz-Hilton is the manager of Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shops at Moana Nursery. Contact the nursery at 775-825-0602.
Many quail eggs are precocial, meaning that they are mobile and reasonably mature from the time of hatching, allowing them to leave the nest with their parents. You may notice a parade of what look like tiny yellow “cotton balls” being led by one parent and followed by the other if you look closely. Following hatching, multiple California Quail broods may mix and are attended by all of their parents. Interestingly, adults who participate in group brooding tend to live longer than those who do not.
There are plenty of California Quail in the Truckee Meadows, where they live in low, dry vegetation patches. They are unique to the west coast and have a loud “Chi-ca-go” sound. It’s interesting to note that they have never been to Chicago. They can be found frequently in urban parks, suburban gardens, and rural areas because they are very tolerant of humans.
The manager of Moana Nursery’s Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shops is Carmel Ruiz-Hilton. Contact the nursery at 775-825-0602.
For additional details on these and other backyard birds, speak with the Moana Nursery bird feeding experts.
The California Quail is a striking, spherical, game bird resembling a soccer ball with a small head, bill, and unique, curled black head plume that is present in both sexes. Its tail is somewhat long and square, and its wings are short and very broad. Male adults have dark brown and gray coloring, with a black face defined by strong white stripes. Females are a plainer brown and lack the facial markings. The belly of both sexes is covered in a pattern of white, creamy, and chestnut scales. Young birds look like females but have a shorter topknot. Legs and feet are gray in both. Despite appearing as a single feather, the topknot is actually a cluster of six overlapping plumes.
What Foods Do They Eat?
Millet, cracked corn, oil sunflower, sunflower chips, Nyjer®, Bark Butter®
Other Info About Quail
These birds are non-migratory, year-round residents throughout their range.
FAQ
What is a good substitute for quail feed?
Can you feed quail game bird feed?
Can quails eat finch food?