As the state bird of California, the California quail is aptly named. These plump birds are a treat to watch in the backyard or local parks as they dash across open areas with comical precision.
Common Name:
California Quail
Scientific Name:
Callipepla californica
Appearance:
- Bill: Short, black, upper mandible sharply curved
- Size: 10 inches long with 14-15-inch wingspan, very plump body
- Colors: White, black, brown, yellow, rust, blue-gray
- Markings: Dimorphic species. Males have a white stripe above the eye and circling a black throat, a dark cap with a pale forehead, blue-gray chest, back and wings with a faint rust or brown tint, speckling on the back of the neck, a yellow abdomen with heavy scaling and a low rust patch and a curved black plume of feathers on the forehead. Female birds are paler gray overall with white scaling on the abdomen and a much shorter forehead plume.
Foods:
Seeds, insects
Habitat and Migration:
California quail are adaptable birds that can be found in brushy forests as well as urban and suburban parks and backyards throughout California, Washington, Oregon, southeastern Idaho, northern Nevada and northern Utah. The birds’ northern reach is as far as southeastern British Columbia and extends south through Baja California. These birds do not migrate.
Vocalizations:
California quail are not primarily vocal birds but their repetitive undulating “chi-CAH-go” call is distinctive. They also use short “chup” calls.
Behavior:
Quail are solitary birds or found in pairs during the breeding season, but family groups will remain together in the fall and coveys can form with more than 100 birds. While feeding, one bird will perch nearby as a sentinel with a good vantage point. These birds are most active near sunrise and sunset and exhibit a rigid spatial organization when running.
Reproduction:
California quail are polygamous birds that produce one brood of 12-15 eggs each year. Female birds do most of the incubating for 18-24 days, and young birds will leave the nest quickly to follow the adults when foraging for food. Juvenile birds remain in the family group for 27-30 days.
Attracting California Quail:
California quail readily visit backyards and will forage beneath birdfeeders for spilled seed, often scratching at the dirt or mulch like chickens and other game birds. Birders who want to encourage visits from quail can supply cracked corn or millet in low ground feeders or scattered directly on the ground, and the birds will also drink from ground birdbaths. Bird-friendly landscaping with low shrubbery provides good shelter for California quail.
Similar Birds:
- Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii)
- Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus)
- Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata)
- Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
Photo – California Quail © Vards Uzvards
