California
Oreortyx pictus  Glenn and Martha Vargas, California Academy of Sciences | |
| Type of Animal: | Birds |
|---|---|
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Odontophoridae |
| Federal Status: | |
| State Status: | |
| Occurrence: | |
| Habitat: | Chaparral,Mountains |
| Description: | Mountain quail are plump, grayish birds with a chestnut colored throat and a striking plume that stands straight up on the tops of their heads. They live in groups that vary in size as the seasons change. In winter, flocks typically consist of about 15 individuals. Flocks as large as 30 individuals have been observed. Living in flocks provides better protection for quail because they can take turns looking out for predators. In winter, mountain quail tend to migrate to lower elevations where temperatures are a little warmer. These are the only North American quail to complete most of their migration on foot rather than in flight! Flying is used only as a last resort. Seeds are the main component of the mountain quail diet, but they may also eat plant bulbs, foliage, fruit, berries, and insects. Quail find food by scratching and pecking through ground matter for suitable food items. The breeding season begins in March and extends through August. Nests are built near water at the base of a tree or fallen log and are concealed by bushes. The nests are lined with leaves, grass, pine needles, and some feathers. Mountain quail are monogamous, meaning that once a pair is formed the two birds will stay with each other for the rest of the breeding season. Females lay between 6 and 15 eggs in a brood. Mountain quail typically only have one brood per year. Unlike the California and Gambel's quail, the male and female mountain quail share the responsibility of incubating the eggs. Incubation lasts between 21 and 24 days. When the eggs hatch, the young are precocial. The term precocial means that the young are born with their eyes open and are covered with down. Within a few hours after hatching, the young are independent and able to walk around. Young mountain quail will follow the parents for a few days to learn how to find food. Both parents take part in caring for the young. In fact, mountain quail defend their young more than any other North American quail species. Predators include Cooper’s hawks, coyotes, bobcats, and rattlesnakes. Heavy grazing is also a threat to this species because it may destroy mountain quail habitat. |
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| References: | Ehrlich et. al. 1988. The Birder’s Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds. Miklos et. at. 1994. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds, Revised Edition. Peterson. 1990. Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds, Third Edition. Sibley. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Zeiner et. al. 1990. California’s Wildlife, Volume II, Birds. PHOTO from a photo by Glenn and Martha Vargas © California Academy of Sciences |
| Other Sites: | http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/BNA/account/Mountain_Quail/ - Cornell Lab of Ornithology, "The Birds of North American online |
| Field Office(s): | Arcata; Bakersfield; Barstow; Bishop; Eagle Lake; Mother Lode; Hollister; Needles; Palm Springs; Redding; Ridgecrest; Surprise; Ukiah |