What kind of bird is a Gambel quail?
What kind of bird is a Gambel quail?
Gambel’s Quail are gregarious birds of the desert Southwest, where coveys gather along brushy washes and cactus-studded arroyos to feed. Males and females both sport a bobbing black topknot of feathers. The male’s prominent black belly patch distinguishes it from the similar California Quail.
What happens if you get too close to a Gambel quail?
If you get too close without seeing them, they may startle you by suddenly exploding into flight. Gambel’s Quail are ground-feeding desert birds—so they are likely to visit yards that offer birdseed and water at ground level.
Where can I see Gambel’s quail in Hawaii?
Birders in Hawaii may catch a glimpse of Gambel’s Quail on the slopes of Mauna Kea volcano. The Hawaii Division of Fish and Game introduced this popular game bird (mostly from game farms) to all of the main Hawaiian Islands in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Today a few remain on the Big Island, as well as on Lanai and tiny Kaho’olawe.
What kind of quail live in the desert?
Gambel’s Quail. The Sonoran desert is home to this distinctive bird. Gambel’s Quail is often abundant near desert streams and waterholes, with coveys walking to the water in the morning and evening, giving a variety of clucking and crowing notes.
What is the incubation period for Gambel’s quail?
In the spring, Gambel’s quail pair off for mating and become very aggressive toward other pairs. The females generally lay 10-12 eggs, and the incubation period lasts from 21 to 23 days. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest with their parents within hours of hatching.
Where do quail live in the desert?
Gambel’s Quail are gregarious birds of the desert Southwest, where coveys gather along brushy washes and cactus-studded arroyos to feed. Males and females both sport a bobbing black topknot of feathers.
