California Quail

The California Quail, also known as the California Valley Quail, sports a distinctive plume that curls forward on its head. This small, rotund bird exhibits a rich gray and brown body with a lighter belly speckled with black, and a dark brown cap. Its sides are streaked with white, and males have a black throat bounded by bold white stripes.

Native to the West Coast of the United States, California Quails thrive in scrub, broken chaparral, and woodland edges. They adapt well to suburban environments, often seen foraging on the ground in groups known as "coveys." These birds are most active during the early morning or late afternoon, searching for seeds and leaves.

Their social behavior is fascinating, particularly their communal approach to protection. When nesting, multiple females may lay eggs in the same nest. Their call, a sweet "Chi-ca-go," is a common sound in their range and serves both to communicate within the covey and to alert to potential threats. California Quails have shown resilience in adapting to altered habitats, but they still face threats from habitat loss and predation.