California Quail

Callipepla californica

California Quails are small, plump birds with a cute, round shape. They have a lovely, patterned body and a little topknot on their heads. These birds love to live in groups and are often seen scurrying around in the grass.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The California Quail has a distinctive, forward-curving black plume atop its head. Males feature a black face framed by white stripes, a chestnut cap, and a scaled belly, making them visually different from the plainer, duller-plumaged females.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderGalliformesFamilyOdontophoridaeGenusCallipepla

Photo: Becky Matsubara from El Sobrante, CaliforniaCC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

California Quail

Interesting facts

A group of quail is called a "covey"—they stick together!

Quail chicks can run and forage for food hours after hatching!

The male's fancy head plume bobs as it runs rapidly!

They sleep in a tight circle, tails in, heads out, for safety!

Special abilities

California Quail can burst vertically into flight because of strong leg muscles, helping them escape predators in a flash.

California Quail has a complex alarm system, using specific calls to warn their covey about different types of dangers.

California Quail has mottled brown and grey feathers that perfectly blend into their shrubby environment, making them hard to spot.

Measurements & details

Length: 24-28 cm
Wingspan: 32-38 cm
Weight: 0.15-0.2 kg
Lifespan: 3-6 years
Speed: 65 km/h
Clutch Size: 10-16
Incubation: 21-23 days
Migration Distance: 0 km

Diet & Feeding

These ground birds mostly munch on seeds, leaves, and berries they find in their habitat.

Age differences: Chicks eat more protein-rich insects, while adults consume mostly plant matter.

Primary Foods

Seeds
Leaves
Berries
Flowers
Small insects

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Cooper's Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

A swift aerial hunter of adult quail.

Eaten by

Coyote

Canis latrans

Opportunistically hunts quail, especially at dusk.

Eats

Coast Live Oak

Quercus agrifolia

Quail consume fallen acorns, providing winter sustenance.

Eats

Wild Oat

Avena fatua

Feeds on seeds from this widespread invasive grass.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Crested

Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Omnivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Grassland

Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.

Diurnal

Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

Speedster

This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.

Also known as

California Valley Quail

Collections

Birds

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify California Quail?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is California Quail?

24-28 cm

What is California Quail's wingspan?

32-38 cm

How much does California Quail weigh?

0.15-0.2 kg

How long does California Quail live?

3-6 years

How fast can California Quail move?

65 km/h

What does California Quail eat?

These ground birds mostly munch on seeds, leaves, and berries they find in their habitat.