The California Quail is a familiar site to many in its range in the western U.S., with its distinctive top knot and plumage, and its adaptability to living around humans. They are the state bird of California. They live in small coveys, moving and feeding as a group. When an individual bird is separated from the group, a familiar chi-CA-go call is repeated until the bird can rejoin its group. Popular with hunters, the species has even been introduced internationally as a gamebird for hunting. They are very similar to the Gambel's Quail in appearance, but the ranges of the two species typically don't overlap.
Habitat
They are often found in areas of chaparral mixed with open areas and riparian areas, but can also be found in a variety of other brushy or grassy habitats. They have also adapted to living in and around suburban areas.
Diet
Feeds mostly on seeds, leaves, and fresh buds. They will also eat fruits, berries, flowers, tubers, acorns, nuts, and insects. Depending on time of year and location, vegetation makes up between 60-90% of the diet.
Behavior
California Quail are very social birds, living in coveys that often number over 50 individual birds. They mostly forage on the ground, and typically in and around vegetative cover, although they will forage in open areas if cover is nearby. When disturbed, they will most often run away very quickly, but if pressed, will burst into short, low flights.
Nesting
The nest is typically a shallow depression in the dirt, placed next to a clump of vegetation or rock for protection, and lined with grasses. The nest can contain over a dozen eggs, especially when other females "dump" eggs into another female's nest. Both parents will help to raise the young.
Song
The call sounds like the word chi-CA-go , which is repeated in sequences from 3 to 10 times. Males and females have antiphonal calls, with males and females calling concurrently and complementing each other's calls in rhythm.
Migration
Considered a permanent resident throughout its range.
Interactive eBird map
Click to access an interactive eBird map of California Quail sightings
Similar Species
Gambel's Quail most similar. Also similar to Mountain Quail . The California Quail can be separated from the Gambel's Quail by its scaled-looking belly and chest, which are marked with pale scalloping. Gambel's Quail has a plain buff belly with a bold black central patch and typically occurs in desert washes, mesquite thickets, and arid scrub habitats. California Quail also has a more extensive scaled pattern on the underparts and lacks the rich chestnut crown found on Gambel's Quail.
The Mountain Quail is much larger and longer-bodied than either California or Gambel's Quail and has two long, straight head plumes rather than a single forward-curving topknot. Mountain Quail also shows bold facial stripes, chestnut flanks, and a gray breast, and is primarily associated with mountainous shrublands, chaparral, and conifer forests. Habitat is often the quickest clue: California Quail favor chaparral, oak woodlands, and brushy lowlands, Gambel's Quail inhabit desert environments, and Mountain Quail are birds of higher-elevation mountain habitats.
Feeders
California Quail will attend ground feeders for seed, or areas where seed is scattered on the ground.
Conservation Status
The California Quail is generally considered a species of low conservation concern and remains widespread across much of its native range in the western United States and Baja California. Populations can fluctuate in response to drought, habitat changes, and weather conditions that affect nesting success and food availability. The species has also been successfully introduced to several regions outside its native range and remains common in many suitable habitats. They are considered a species of "Least Concern" by the IUCN.
Photo Information
April 19th, 2007 - Point Reyes National Seashore, California - Terry Sohl
