Some wild species, such as Gambel’s quail, like to roost in dense shrubs or trees. Wherever these birds live, they require cover for roosting, resting, nesting, escaping from predators, and for protection from the weather. Some species have bony heel spurs to protect them against predators. Other species prefer to remain motionless when threatened with danger. When startled, they will suddenly take flight quickly at speeds up to 40 mph. Quails particularly like to forage beneath shrubs or on open ground near foliage. They spend much of their time scratching the soil to dig up food. Dense vegetation provides shelter for quails from predators. Some species of Old World quail migrate, but most New World species do not and live in the same general area where they were born. The Bobwhite tends to live in coveys of 11 to 12 birds to help protect each other against predators. The exception is during mating season when large flocks, known as convoys, gather in groups of about 100. For the most part, they are solitary birds, preferring to spend time alone or with just one other quail bird. Males vocalize in the mornings, evenings, and sometimes at night. You’ll often hear their distinctive calls instead of seeing them. These birds can be notoriously difficult to see as they like to hide in the underbrush. Japanese quail males have a clock gland on the throat, which secretes a white foamy liquid that is often used to assess reproductive fitness. Many quail have bills typical of seedeaters, meaning they are serrated, short, stout, and slightly decurved. Some species also have speckling on the upper breast. The coloration and arrangement of feathers on the underbelly result in a scaly appearance. While this topknot is a hallmark of quails, not all species have them. Among the California quail, both males and females have a topknot of feathers that project forward, with males having a longer and bigger plume, which is dark and comprised of several feathers. They have small heads and short, broad wings along with a long and square tail. Some are as small as four inches tall, but they can range up to 11 or 12 inches in height. Quails are small birds that are generally bigger than robins but smaller than crows, although you’ll find a great difference among the species. Appearance and Behavior Both male and female California quails have a topknot of feathers that project forward, although the male has a bigger plume. They were important enough as a source of protein for laborers in ancient Egypt that they rated their own hieroglyphic symbol! Further, quail have been in China for so many centuries that the Chinese quail may be the ancestor of many modern breeds. For over 4,000 years, quail have been bred domestically. Quails share a common ancestor with chickens that goes back 22.2 million years ago. Bobwhites, also considered New World quail, are members of the genus Colinus, with Colinus virginianus, the Virginia Bobwhite, usually called the Northern Bobwhite, being the most widespread. One of the most common species of New World quail is the California Quail ( Callipepla californica), which has five subspecies. New World quails are members of the genus Callipepla and are sometimes referred to as crested quails. See all of our entertaining and insightful animal articles.
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