California Quail
Callipepla californica
The California Quail (Callipepla californica) is a common new world quail found in 12 countries, weighing about 166 g. The California quail, also known as the California valley quail or Valley quail, is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family, inhabiting western North America.
About the California Quail
The California quail, also known as the California valley quail or Valley quail, is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family, inhabiting western North America. It is the state bird of California.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
These birds have a curving crest, plume or topknot, longer in males than females. Adult males are gray and brown colored, with a black face outlined by white stripes. Females are a plainer brown color and do not have the facial stripes. In terms of size, this bird typically measures 24–27 cm (9.4–10.6 in) in length, 32–37 cm (13–15 in) in wingspan, and weigh 140–230 g (4.9–8.1 oz).
What the California Quail sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in France, Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain.
When to see it
The California Quail can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a California Quail?
- These birds have a curving crest, plume or topknot, longer in males than females. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a California Quail?
- The California Quail is a medium sized bird weighing about 166 g.
- Where can you see a California Quail?
- The California Quail occurs in 12 countries, including the United States, Canada, Chile, New Zealand and Mexico.
- What does a California Quail sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the California Quail on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a California Quail?
- The California Quail is most easily confused with the Gambel's Quail, the Scaled Quail and the Elegant Quail.
- Is the California Quail endangered?
- The California Quail is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the California Quail for real
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