Kinds of Quail

Quails are a small, often ornamental bird which are part of the pheasant family. There are many species and subspecies of quail around the world. More than 100 wild species can be found in Asia and North America. Quails can be hunted, kept for eggs, kept as pets or simply viewed outside.

  1. Gamble

    • Gamble quails, also known as topknot or desert quails, are commonly found across in the arid southwestern region of the United States and Mexico. It is easily identified by a rusty brown-red plume on top of its head, although it can be confused with the valley quail. The males have a black and white face, yellow belly, and light gray chest that lacks scaling. The females are similar except for the face colorings.

    Bobwhite

    • The bobwhite is a common quail found amongst game breeders and bird owners. There are at least 20 subspecies of the bobwhite including eastern and masked bobwhites. Towards the southern states and Mexico, the bobwhite species varies more greatly to those in the northern regions. Bobwhites are easy to breed, lay all summer and chicks are easy to brood. Therefore it is a suitable quail to have on a farm.

    California Valley

    • The California valley quail is a very distinctive bird. It has a bright blue chest, black, brown, grey and white scaled feathers on its lower body and a black and white face. It has a nervous temperament but is easy to breed. In 1931 it was declared the state bird of California. In winter and fall quails flock together in groups from a few to 60 birds. However, during spring they break off into pairs to nest.

    Blue Scale

    • When fully grown, the blue scale quail measures between 10 and 11 inches in length. Both sexes of the blue scale quail have the same blue, gray and brown scaled feathers. It is named after its characteristic pale blue colorings. It lives in southern part of the United States including New Mexico and southwestern Kansas. Hens can lay up to 60 eggs during a season. There is also a subspecies called chestnut-bellied blue scale, which is mainly bred in captivity.

    Mountain

    • The Mountain quail is a jet-black bird with a long top feather protruding from its head. It has reddish-brown tones around its face and gray across its back and wings. Mountain quails are the only member of the quail family that have eggs hatch over three days. Normally, quail chicks hatch straight from the egg in a matter of hours, rather than over days like the mountain quail.

    Mearns

    • Harlequin, black, cincoreal or crazy quail (or codorniz encinara or codorniz pinta) are just a few of the alternative names for the Mearns quail. It is considered an unusual member of the quail family because its head is not in proportion with its body. It is much larger than other species' heads and has large eyes.