General Description: California Quail (Callipepla californica) are plump ground birds. The sexes look different, although both are gray overall with brown sides that are streaked with white, and both have a short black plume feather on the forehead that bends forward. Males have a black face outlined in white and a red cap. Females have a gray head and face. California Quail lack the black belly patch seen in Gambel's Quail, which occur in more desert environments.

Taxonomy: Galliformes, Odontophoridae

Favored Habitat: Shrubby area near water.

Where to Find: Don't look for California Quail around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them on trips to California where they can be quite common in non-desert areas. Also look for them in northern Nevada and northward through Oregon, western Idaho, Washington, and southern-most British Columbia.

Comments: