How to Feed a California Quail

Many property owners make efforts to attract the state bird of California, the California quail, to their land because of the quail's hardiness, comfort around humans and appearance. Quail also help control insect populations. California quail live primarily in western states such as California, Oregon and Utah. Known for their distinctive head plumage, males are mostly gray and females are brown. The right food sources, along with carefully designed spaces, help to attract California quail to a property. Feeding California quail requires planning and careful preparation.

Things You'll Need

  • Roost boxes
  • Trees, bushes or tall grass
  • Grain, berries and seeds
  • Quail feeders
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check your garden to ensure it is quail-friendly. Quail are nervous birds that need leafy cover in which to hide when they are frightened. Startled or uncomfortable quail can be too nervous to eat. Frightened quail may also injure themselves while fleeing. Cover can consist of trees or manufactured roosts. Other types of quail friendly cover include tall grass or untrimmed shrubs.

    • 2

      Provide natural sources of food for quail. The Oregon State University Extension Service recommends berry bushes, including huckleberry and blackberry bushes. Pea plants, grasses and nut-bearing trees also provide food for California quail.

      According to the Utah Division of Wildlife, clover is one of the favorite foods of quail; other food sources for quail include berries, fruits and seeds and waste grain. They also eat flowers and insects.

    • 3

      Supplement naturally occurring food sources if necessary. Grains in low feeders are ideal. Stores sell quail feeders in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. Many common grains are useful in feeders, including wheat and millet. If plants and trees on your property do not produce seeds, berries and fruits, place these items in feeders also.

      Unlike some other birds, it is unusual for the California quail to fly unless they are frightened. Build or buy feeders that quail will be able to reach while they are on the ground. Position feeders close to natural cover such as bushes and trees, or close to manufactured roosts.

      If they are frightened by predators such as cats, coyotes or birds of prey, quail will run or fly to the nearest cover.

    • 4

      Ensure that water is always available to the California quail. If natural bodies of water are not always available, create artificial water sources. The Oregon State University Extension Service recommends building "bird guzzlers," which can provide constant sources of water. Some companies sell manufactured bird guzzlers.