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Country Critters - The Valley Quail



The valley quail, commonly referred to as California quail, is one of the most popular birds in nature. These birds are extremely territorial and family-oriented. They can adapt well to a domestic environment, being raised for food, sport or simply as pets. In my opinion, though, they are best left in their natural environment. Males and females of this species are marked distinctly different. Males are more colorful with a distinctive black topknot plume on top of their heads. The female is much more drab, brown in color and do not have the distinctive topknot. Within their flock, called a covey, the males are clearly dominant, and are often hostile in warding off rival males within a small feeding area. They are also protective of their family, standing guard from a higher vantage point while the hen and chicks feed. Females are also very protective of their young and will take on predators many times their size in defense of their chicks.

The following paragraph provides some plain old facts on the valley quail, including their characteristics, diet and habits.

California/Valley Quail


Valley Quail

Range: Western U.S. from British Columbia south through Baja California, and east through. Has been introduced into parts of eastern Washington, Idaho and Utah, and successfully introduced to Hawaii. Also introduced to central Chile and is now quite common.

Habitat: They normally remain on the ground where they are very agile and quick. Will take flight if startled or to escape danger. Nest in shallow indentations in the ground lined with grass or leaves. It is not uncommon for them to roost in trees or large shrubs.

Description: The male has a black face and throat bordered with a white stripe above the eye and along the throat. There is a small patch of yellow feathers at the base of the bill. Most distinguishable is the black top-knot plume on top of the head. The back of the neck and head is finely mottled with black, gray and white, and the breast and upper back are bluish-gray. The belly has a blackish-chestnut patch that is surrounded by black buff feathers. The female (hen) is smaller with scaling on the breast and lighter gray overall. The most distinctive difference is that the hen does not have the black top-knot plume.

Status: Common, not threatened nor endangered.

Breeding Season: April to June. Normally breeds at one year.

Clutch Size: 12-14 eggs.

Incubation Period: 23 days. Normal hatch is June-July.

Notes: These birds do well in any climate and in captivity. Very similar to the Gambel and Scaled quail.

 

Of all the country critters that we live near, the valley quail is my favorite! I can watch their activities and antics for hours. In many ways, they have almost human characteristics. A future page will have some of my personal thoughts on this magnificent bird.

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