BeakBrain
Menu
Bird GuideDaily BirdCamsTripsCommunityGet the app

California Quail

Callipepla californica

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernSeedsShrublandScrapeMedium · 166 g
California Quail (Callipepla californica), photo 1
Photo: SarahStierch · CC BY 3.0
California Quail (Callipepla californica), photo 2
Photo: Missvain · CC BY 4.0
California Quail (Callipepla californica), photo 3
Photo: Missvain · CC BY 4.0
California Quail (Callipepla californica), photo 4
Photo: Connor Sites-Bowen · CC BY 4.0
California Quail (Callipepla californica), photo 5
Photo: Connor Sites-Bowen · CC BY 4.0
California Quail (Callipepla californica), photo 6
Photo: Michael Berardozzi · CC BY 4.0
California Quail (Callipepla californica), photo 7
Photo: SarahStierch · CC BY 3.0
California Quail (Callipepla californica), photo 8
Photo: Missvain · CC BY 4.0
California Quail (Callipepla californica), photo 9
Photo: Missvain · CC BY 4.0
California Quail (Callipepla californica), photo 10
Photo: Sarah Stierch · CC BY 4.0

What the California Quail sounds like

Sonogram of the California Quail: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.
Recorded by Jonathon Jongsma · Call · Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, Santa Clara, California, United States · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via xeno-canto
Sonogram of the California Quail: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.
Recorded by Jonathon Jongsma · Call · McClellan Ranch Preserve, Santa Clara, California, United States · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via xeno-canto

ID tip

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).

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the California Quail

One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is May, the month with the most records.

Where to see the California Quail

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 6 countries with regular records, and 6 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

United States Canada Chile New Zealand Mexico Argentina

Recorded as a rare visitor in France, Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain.

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.

Easily confused with

Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii) Gambel's QuailCallipepla gambeliiThe Callipepla gambelii birds are easily recognized by their top knots and scaly plumage on their undersides. Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) Scaled QuailCallipepla squamataThis bird is named for the scaly appearance of its breast and back feathers. Elegant Quail (Callipepla douglasii) Elegant QuailCallipepla douglasiiThe elegant quail grows to a length of about 25 cm (10 in).

Side by side: California Quail vs Gambel's Quail · California Quail vs Scaled Quail · California Quail vs Elegant Quail

Learn the California Quail in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.