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• CALIFORNIA QUAIL SKIN

They spread rapidly, and are now most numerous from Northland to the Waikato, inland Bay of Plenty, coastal Wairarapa, Nelson/Marlborough, North Canterbury and Banks Peninsula. The first release in New Zealand was at Papakura in 1862 with later releases in Nelson, Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago. They have been introduced to most continents as game birds. Similar species: the brown quail is smaller and browner, with intricate patterning on the back, and lacks a head plume.Ĭalifornia quail are native to western USA from Oregon to the Baja Peninsula. Chicks make a high whistle, alerting parents to their location Other calls include foraging grunts, sharp urgent tut-tut warnings and soft tup-tup sounds, possibly location guides. The calling bird is usually perched slightly above the surrounding area, e.g on a log or post. It is more accurately rendered as ‘qua-quergo’. Voice: the distinctive 3-note male crow is described in a variety of entertaining ways (‘Tobacco’, ‘McPherson’, ‘Chi- ca-go’ etc.). Their legs and bill are black and sturdy, with the bill being slightly hooked.įoraging quail pace sedately, but when disturbed they run at speed, their feet a blur of movement, or burst into flight with noisy, rapid wingbeats. California quail have short, rounded wings and a relatively long tail. Both sexes have fine speckling on the nape, which is bolder in the male. The female’s crest plume is much smaller than the male’s. Immature birds are similar to the female but a lighter brown. The female is slightly smaller, duller and browner, with some streaking on the neck and a more subdued scalloping on the belly, but with equally bold streaking on the flanks. The breast is blue-grey and the lower belly cream to rust brown with distinctive black scalloping, which merges into strong, pale streaks on the dark brown flanks. Males have a black chin and cheeks edged with white, and separate white ‘eyebrows’ join on the forehead. The male call, often represented as ‘ Chi-ca-go’, is distinctive and diagnostic.Ĭalifornia quail are stocky, predominantly grey and brown, with a diagnostic forward-curling black plume rising erect from the top of their heads. In autumn, quail gather in large coveys to feed and roost together. The young are numerous and able to fly at a young age, but have a low survival rate. The female is duller in colour with a less obvious plume. The male has a striking black face bordered with white, and a conspicuous top-knot or plume. They are common in open shrublands throughout most of the country.

Greater sage-grouse are an Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in both the Blue Mountains and Northern Basin and Range ecosystems.California quail are small, plump introduced game birds. They are most common in the southeastern desert regions of the state and generally limited to sagebrush habitats. The display lasts only a few seconds and is a combination of color, movement and sound.

CALIFORNIA QUAIL SKIN

They have yellow combs over each eye and a chest sac with two bare, yellow patches of skin which are inflated during display. Their tail feathers are long and pointed with white spots. Males have specializations used in display. Adults are mottled dark gray, black and buff, with black bellies and pointed tails. Greater sage-grouse are best known for their elaborate courtship displays that occur on traditional strutting grounds, known as leks, where males gather each spring.Īt all seasons, both sexes are readily identified by large size and chicken-like build.