Bird of the Week: California Quail

I smile every time I hear the distinctive “chi-CAH-go” call of this week’s featured bird, the California quail. These birds are comical to watch with their round bodies, colorful plumage and frantic behavior. When they run – as they do frequently – it’s in a perfectly straight line with precise distances between birds, and in the summer the family groups of up to 20 or more birds are always amusing.

I’ll never forget the pair of California quail foraging near the picket fence between my yard and my neighbor’s; when they were startled, they discovered that their plump bodies would not fit between the fence slats, but that didn’t stop them from trying different slats all along the length of the fence. It’s a priceless backyard birding moment!

What stories do you have about California quail or other birds in your yard? Share your tales in the comments!

California Quail
Photo © Kevin Cole