Bird
California Quail
Callipepla californicaAlso known as California Valley Quail, Valley Quail
California quail are highly social birds famous for the forward-curving, teardrop-shaped plume atop their heads. They move in cooperative family groups called coveys that forage along scrubby ground, keeping watch with a distinctive three-note call that sounds like 'chi-ca-go'. When startled, the entire flock explodes into a brief, whirring flight toward dense thickets for protection.
SocialGround-dwellingPlumed
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGrass seeds, Acorns, Caterpillars
Predators
- Cooper's Hawk
- Coyote
- Feral Cat
ThreatsHabitat loss, predation by feral pets, extreme drought
HabitatsChaparral, oak woodlands, coastal scrub, agricultural edges, suburban parks
Life span3–5 years
Classification
- OrderGalliformes
- FamilyOdontophoridae
- GenusCallipepla
- SpeciesCallipepla californica
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Listening for Calls: Listen for their loud three-note assembly call early in the morning.
- Giving Space: Keep a clear distance to avoid scattering coveys into hiding.
- Backyard Water: Provide low water sources and shrub cover to invite local coveys.
Close Relative (c) Annika Lindqvist, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Annika Lindqvist · cc-by
Co-occurring Relative (c) Diana, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Diana · cc-by
Genus Relative ALAN SCHMIERER / CC0 · cc0
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.