A medium-sized desert quail with distinctive forward-curving plume. Adapted to arid southwestern habitats.

Native status: Native to North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 17–28 cm (6.7–11 in); wingspan 30–40 cm
Weight100–250 g
LifespanWild 3–6 years
OrderGalliformes
FamilyOdontophoridae

§ Encyclopedia

Gambel's quail is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family. It inhabits the desert regions of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Texas, and Sonora; also New Mexico-border Chihuahua and the Colorado River region of Baja California. Gambel's quail is named in honor of William Gambel, a 19th-century naturalist and explorer of the Southwestern United States.

Source: Wikipedia — Gambel's quail Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Round gray quail with a chestnut crown and flanks, a forward-curling black teardrop topknot, a buff belly with a black patch (males), and white-streaked sides.

Similar species. California Quail is browner with a scaly belly and overlaps little in range; Gambel's has a plain buff belly with a black central patch in males.

Voice. A loud, querulous 'chi-CA-go-go' and various clucks and 'chip' notes from the covey.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Seeds, insects, small fruits.

Behavior. A plump desert quail of the Southwest that runs in coveys through brushy washes and around mesquite; relies on summer rains for the green food that triggers good breeding years.

§ Range

Southwestern US deserts

§ Habitat

Desert thornscrub

§ Threats

Habitat loss to development, fire.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the gambel's quail is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support southwestern desert conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
  • National Audubon Society
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List