California Quail (Callipepla californica) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The California Quail is a ground-feeding bird of brushy areas in the western United States with a head plume that curves forward. Its belly has a black-and-white pattern that looks like scales. It is also called the Valley Quail.

Appearance

Appearance: Both sexes have a curved head plume; males have a bold black and white face, while females are browner. Adults are about 9–11 in (24–27 cm) long.
Voice: Its three-part call can sound like ‘chi-ca-go.’

Look-alikes

Gambel's QuailCallipepla gambelii

Check the belly: California Quail have clear black and white scaling. Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii) have a plainer buff belly, with a black patch on males.

Why they get mixed upBoth have a forward curling head plume.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: chaparral
brushy foothills
yards near cover
Range: It lives year round in California and other western states, especially in brushy country.
Seasonal presence: Year-round resident in much of its western U.S. range.

Behavior

Diet: Seeds are the main food. Birds also take leaves, berries, and small .
Social life: Outside breeding season, families gather in flocks and usually feed on the ground near cover.

Life cycle

Nest: The female usually hides a shallow nest on the ground among grass or shrubs.
Clutch size: 12–16 eggs
Incubation: 22–23 days

Name and classification

About the name: Coastal California Quail (Callipepla californica brunnescens) and Catalina California Quail (Callipepla californica catalinensis) are .

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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