Montezuma Quail

At about 22 cm (8.75 in), it is one of the shortest quails of North America, although it weighs 122–230 g (4.3–8.1 oz), the same as some Callipepla quails that are somewhat taller. It has an even plumper build and shorter tail than other quails. The bird has a length of 20–23 cm (7.9–9.1 in) and wingspan of 41–43 cm (16–17 in). Both sexes have the back and wing coverts tan with longitudinal light-buff streaks formed by the feather shafts and circular or transversely oblong black spots arranged in bars. A crest on the nape makes the profile distinctively long front-to-back. Voice: The assembly or territorial call is "six to nine notes descending in pitch", "a far-carrying, descending, quavering whinny". The male's "song" for pairing is "an eerie, melancholy, vibrant, descending whistle vwirrrrr" or "an insect-like buzzing that starts at a high pitch and descends". It is given from the ground, whereas other quails sing on such perches as the tops of fenceposts or bushes.