Valley Quail

(Callipepla californica)

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Callipepla californica Photo by Bruce Craig

Other Names: California Quail, Catalina Quail, Crested Quail, San Lucas Quail, San Quintin Quail, Top-knot Quail.

Range: From British Columbia south through much of Washington and Oregon, their range extends eastward into Idaho and Nevada; along the Pacific Coast in California south through Baja. Has been introduced into parts of eastern Washington, Utah and California. Successfully introduced to all main islands of Hawaii, where it has become a popular game bird. Introduced to central Chile in the 1870s where it has expanded its range and is now quite common.

Subspecies: Johnsgard describes eight subspecies: Valley California Quail (C. c. californica), Catalina Island Califronia Quail (C. c. catalinensis), San Quintin California Quail (C. c. plumbea), San Lucas California Quail (C. c. achrustera), Inyo California Quail (C. c. canfieldae), Great Basin California Quail (C. c. orecta), Baja California Quail (C. c. decoloratus) and the Coastal California Quail (C. c. brunnescens).

Habitat: The large range covers many distinctive habitats. They are found in they dry, scrub area in the south portion of their range, north through grasslands and orchards to the very wet Pacific Northwest.

Description: Often confused with the Gambel's Quail at first glance, but closer observation shows that the male is slightly smaller, but share the tear-drop shaped, black crest. The face and throat is black, bordered a white stripe above the eye and along the throat; there is a small patch of yellow feathers at the base of the bill. The back of the neck and head is finely mottled with black, gray and white; the breast and upper back bluish-gray. The belly has a blackish-chestnut patch that is surrounded by black buff feathers that give a scaly appearance not seen in the Gambel.

Description, Female: Hens can be distingushed from the Gambel hen by her smaller size and scaling on the breast and being lighter gray overall.

Status in Wild: Common

Avicultural Data

Status in Aviculture: Common

Breeding Season: April to June.

Breeding Age: First year.

Clutch Size: 12-14 eggs.

Incubation Period: 23 days.

Misc. Aviculture Notes: With such a diverse range and habitat, these birds do well in any climate. This species has no special demands and can reared in the same manner as Gambel and Scaled Quail.

Click on thumbnails for larger views.

Photo Credits
(l to r): 1-2, Bruce Craig; 3-4, Jim Kavanagh.

• Brown, D. 1995 A Guide to Pigeons, Doves & Quail, Their Management, Care & Breeding. Australian Birdkeeper, South Tweeds Heads, Australia.
• Jaramillo, A. 2003. Birds of Chile. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Johnsgard, P.A. 1988. The Quails, Partridges, and Francolins of the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
• Madge, S., McGowan, P. 2002. Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Robbins, G.E.S. 1994. Quail Their Breeding and Amanagement. World Pheasant Association, Suffolk, UK.

Links related to this species. Please note, links will open in a new window.

• California State Bird - California Valley Quail - Info from 50states.com.
• California Quail - Mangoverde World Bird Guide Species Page; Images & Sounds.
• California Quail - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter.
• Molecular systematics of the Scaled Quail complex (genus Callipepla). - Article from Robert M. Zink & Rachelle Blackwell, published in The Auk, 1988.
• Wikipedia - California Quail - Wikipedia's species page.