![]() They will stay on the ground for about a month and then will roost in trees with the rest of the flock. They try to fly when they are about 10 days old. The chicks leave the nest soon after birth. ![]() ✦ Chicks are capable of short flights by the time they are a little over two weeks of age and are fully mature and capable of breeding at the age of ten months. Studies have shown that adults that raise young this way have a longer lifespan than the adults that do not. Thereafter, all the parents nurture or care for the young. ✦ The families might come together as communal broods, which includes several males, offspring, and at least two females. They avoid confrontations with others until the chicks are grown. Males keep a close watch till the eggs hatch. ✦ After laying eggs, females incubate them. Nests range from 5-7 inches across and 1-2 inches deep. The depression is lined with stems and grasses. ✦ Their nest is usually a shallow depression, which they prepare by burrowing into the ground with their underbelly. Though California quails might look for food in open areas during the morning and evening, they often stay close to shrubs, so that they can run for cover. Occasionally, they might chose to make a nest that is around 10 feet above the ground. This area is usually at the base of shrubs or around rocks. ✦ Since these birds are not confrontational, they look for an area that is well-concealed, so as to avoid predators until the chicks are grown.Īfter pairing, they look for a well-concealed area to prepare their scrapes. This behavior is referred to as egg-dumping. This might occur due to females laying eggs in nests other than their own. ✦ While the clutch size ranges from 12-16 eggs, California quail nests can contain as many as 28 eggs. The female incubates the eggs for about three weeks. Their nest is a shallow hollow or scrape in the ground that is lined with grass. Females usually lay between 12-16 cream and brown speckled eggs. During the breeding season, males interrupt the female’s ‘chi-ca-go’ call with an sharp ‘squill’, thus exhibiting antiphonal (alternating) calling. ✦ The Chicago quail makes ‘ka-kah-ko’ or ‘chi-ca-go calls, wherein the second note is the highest. ✦ California quails are sedentary in nature, with the maximum movements recorded up to 27 km (16.8 miles). While in flight, speed of 61.2 to 93 km (38 to 58 miles) per hour has been recorded. ✦ They can fly rapidly, but only for short distances. ✦ In case of an imminent attack, they might eventually will burst into flight to get away. Their ground speed has been timed at 19.3 km (12 miles) per hour. When threatened, they prefer to run rather than fly. ✦ Primarily a ground-dwelling bird, California quails have short and powerful legs, which they use for running. ![]() It is still being hunted for sport, but under rigid protective laws. It continued to be an important item of commerce. Its plumage was used for decorating baskets and clothing. ✦ The aboriginal inhabitants hunted this bird for food. Regions where this bird has been successfully introduced include Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and Santa Rosa Islands. It can also be found in Idaho, Washington, northern Oregon, Utah, and southern parts of British Colombia in Canada. It has lived in different types of environment. Native to southernmost Oregon, western Nevada, throughout California, and Baja California in Mexico, this bird is known for its adaptability. Since it avoids confrontations, this bird often looks for areas that have a lot of bushes. ✦ Breeding: Pairs with a new mate each yearĬalifornia quails often live in woodlands, grasslands, foothills, canyons, or at the edge of deserts. ✦ Tail: Short tail with gray and brown plumage Breeding and Lifespan ✦ Scientific Name: Callipepla californica Physical Characteristics Its plumage, which is also called topknot, is composed of overlapping feathers. ![]() The characteristic feature of this bird that makes it hard to miss is the teardrop-shaped tuft of feathers on its head. This ground-dwelling bird belongs to the New World quail family. Also referred to as the California valley quail, or valley quail. This makes it an apt choice for being the State bird of California. The California quail is commonly found in the coastal sage scrub, which is a common habitat found throughout California. The same was proposed through the Assembly Bill 776, which was passed and took effect on August 14, 1931, making the California quail the State bird and avifaunal emblem of California. It was a non-profit environmental organization called Audubon Society that recommended the official adoption of the California valley quail as the symbol of the state of California. BirdEden lists some very interesting facts about the California valley quail. Its teardrop-shaped plume and markings on its body contribute greatly to its beauty. The California quail is truly a sight to watch.
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