Quail
Odontophoridae
New World Quail
Phasianidae
Old World Quail
Incubation Chart
Acknowledgements
Forums
gbwf.org Avicultural Forums
Species Accounts
Pheasants & Peafowl
Quail
Francolin & Partridge
Grouse
Guineafowl & Turkey
Cracids
Megaopdes
Additional
Contact Us
Avicultural Links
gbwf on Facebook
Books
Animal Wonders
gbwf.org
Promote Your Page Too
Recommended Books
The smallest of galliformes, quail are found throughout the world in a variety of habitats. New World Quail belong to the family Odontophoridae, which according to Johnsgard, contains 9 genera and 31 species. Old World Quail belong to the family Phasianidae, a large family that also contains pheasants, partridge and francolin. New World Quail differ from the Old World birds in having a serrated lower mandible and lack tarsal spurs. Many quail species are popular avicultural subjects and their small size makes them ideal for those with limited space.
It is highly recommended for the visitor to advance their knowledge by using the references and further readings recommended on the species sheets. These sheets are only an introduction and if a person is interested in quail aviculture, please read all available material and books before purchasing your birds.
Links with an * are external sites and gbwf.org is not responsible for content.
Odontophoridae, New World Quail
Genus Dendrortyx
Tree-Quail (also known as Wood-Partridges), three species found in Mexico and Central America.
- Bearded Tree-Quail (Dendrortyx barbatus)
- Long-tailed Tree-Quail (D. macroura)
- Buffy-crowned Tree-Quail (D. leucophrys)
Genus Oreortyx
Moutain Quail, one species found in western North America.
Genus Callipepla
Crested or Desert Quail, four species native to the south-western United States and Mexico.
- Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata)
- Elegant Quail (C. douglasii)
- Gambel's Quail (C. gambelii)
- Valley Quail (C. califormica)
Genus Philortyx
Barred Quail (also known as the Banded Quail), one species endemic to Mexico.
- Barred Quail (Philortyx fasciatus)
Genus Colinus
The Bobwhites. There are a large number of subspecies that are sometimes considered full species, but usually only four species are recognized.
- Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginanus)
- Black-throated Bobwhite (C. nigrogularis)
- Spot-bellied Bobwhite (C. leucopogon)
- Crested Bobwhite (C. cristatus)
Genus Odontophorus
Wood Quail, fifteen species native to Central and South America.
- Marbled Wood-Quail (O. gujanensis)
- Spot-winged Wood-Quail (O. capueira)
- Black-eared Wood-Quail (O. melanotis)
- Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail (O. erythrops)
- Black-fronted Wood-Quail (O. atrifrons)
- Chestnut Wood-Quail (O. hyperythrus)
- Dark-backed Wood-Quail (O. melanonotus)
- Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail (O. speciosus)
- Tacarcuna Wood-Quail (O. dialeucos)
- Gorgeted Wood-Quail (O. strophium)
- Venezuelan Wood-Quail (O. columbianus)
- Black-breasted Wood-Quail (O. leucolaemus)
- Stripe-faced Wood-Quail (O. balliviani)
- Starred Wood-Quail (O. stellatus)
- Spotted Wood-Quail (O. guttatus)
Genus Dactylortyx
Singing Quail, one species with a large number of subspecies found in Central America.
- Singing Quail (Dactylortyx thoracicus)
Genus Cyrtonyx
Ocellated Quails, two species found from the south-western United States to Central America.
- Montezuma (Mearn's) Quail (Cyrtonyx montezuma)
- Ocellated Quail (C. ocellatus)
Genus Rhynchortyx
Tawny-faced Quail, one species native to Central & South America.
- Tawny-faced Quail (Rhynchortyx cinctus)
Genus Coturnix
Typical Quails, eight species found throughout the Old World and one extinct species.
- Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)
- Japanese (Coturnix) Quail (C. japonica)
- Stubble Quail (C. pectoralis)
- New Zealand Quail (C. novaezelandiae) - extinct
- Rain Quail (C. coromandelica)
- Harlequin Quail (C. delegorguei)
- Brown Quail (C. ypsilophora)
- Blue Quail (C. adansonii)
- Chinese Painted (Button) Quail (C. chinensis)
Genus Anurophasis
Snow Mountain Quail, one species endemic to New Guinea.
- Snow Mountain Quail (Anurophasis monorthonyx)
Genus Perdicula
Bush-Quail, four species found on the Indian subcontinent.
- Jungle Bush-Quail (Perdicula asiatica)
- Rock Bush-Quail (P. argoondah)
- Painted Bush-Quail (P. erythrorhyncha)
- Manipur Bush-Quail (P. manipurensis)
Genus Ophrysia
Himalayan Quail, one species now believed to be extinct.
Acknowledgements & Credits
I want to give special thanks to the following indviduals for the help with photographs and information for the Quail section at gbwf.org. Your contributions are very much appreciated!
- Kenneth Bader
- Kevin Chou
- Scott Colomb
- Bruce Craig
- Sam Cunningham
- Carl Garnham
- Jan Harteman
- Jim Kavanagh
- Roman Kmicikewycz
- Myles Lamont
- Jack Lutes
- Andy Maycen
- John Renwick
- Jim Riddle
- Bud & RoxAnn Riggs
- Pat Routh
- Terry Smith
- Myrna Tuley
- Matt Tuttle
- Mark Wagoner
- Allan Wautier
- World Pheasant Association
Disclaimer: THIS IS NOT A CATALOG OR PRICE LIST. Any requests for quail for sale will go unanswered, check out the gbwf.org forums for possible surplus. Again, this site is not a catalog or price list!!!!
Information found on the species accounts/fact sheets have come from personal experience, personal communications, publications and books. The information found within is designed as an introduction to game bird aviculture. I cannot guarantee what has worked for one will work for another. These birds can be unpredictable, and we learn something new from them every day. Those interested in this hobby for the first time should check with their local conservation departments for permit information before purchasing birds. Remember, game birds are living creatures, not show pieces or ornaments. We encourage all interested in this hobby to provide optimal care for their birds. Beginners to this hobby should learn as much as they can from other keepers, books and publications before purchasing birds. Many forums are available through the internet, and many keepers will be happy to share their personal experiences about a particular species. If you cannot properly house or care for these birds, DO NOT buy any. We do not encourage hybridization of any pure species or subspecies of wildlife. Responsible animal ownership is the goal and education is the key. The webmaster of this site does not offer any birds for sale. gbwf.org will always be a work in progress, with new information added often. Advertisement opportunities are available, please e-mail for more information. Adobe reader will be required for viewing some of the content on gbwf.org.
