Species · GBIF taxon 5228080
California Quail
Callipepla californicaAlso known as California Valley Quail, Valley Quail
California quail are highly social birds that spend most of their time on the ground, moving in bustling autumn flocks called coveys. Both sexes sport a distinctive, forward-curving crest of feathers on their heads, though the male's plume is larger and accompanied by a striking black throat. When startled, they prefer to run rapidly through the underbrush rather than take flight, communicating with a famous three-syllable call.
SocialGround-dwellingVocal
1 / 7- diet
- Seeds, leaves, berries, and occasional insects
- family
- Odontophoridae
- threats
- Habitat loss, domestic predators, and climate change
- life Span
- 1 to 4 years in the wild
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Listen for calls: Listen for their distinctive three-syllable call which sounds like chi-ca-go.
- Watch the ground: Look for them scratching through leaf litter in brushy areas.
- Keep distance: Maintain a respectful distance to avoid scattering the covey.