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California Quail (male)

Callipepla californica

Photo by HemaShah
Published on Project Noah
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37.8816, -121.914

Field Notes

Description:

Adult males are rich gray and brown, with a black face outlined with bold white stripes.California Quail spend most of their time on the ground, walking and scratching in search of food. In morning and evening they forage beneath shrubs or on open ground near cover. They usually travel in groups called coveys. Their flight is explosive but lasts just long enough to reach cover.

Habitat:

Seen on Mt Diablo. You’ll find California Quail in chaparral, sagebrush, oak woodlands, and foothill forests of California and the Northwest. They’re quite tolerant of people and can be common in city parks, suburban gardens, and agricultural areas.

Reference Links:

California Quail, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (23)
HemaShah
sf45189, not amoeba. the genera of protozoans involved in quail digestion are Trichomonas, Eimeria and Eutrichomastix. These organisms are also associated with disease in man, reptiles, fish, and other birds and mammals. https://thenatureniche.com/2012/01/25/digestion-aid/
HemaShah
I thought that it was interesting that,the California Quail digests vegetation with the help of protozoans in its intestine. Chicks acquire the protozoans by pecking at the feces of adults.
HemaShah
Thanks Leuba,Sukanya,Zlatan and Mark! :))
sf45189
you were able to capture some details on the legs!Whenever i have tried to photograph a quail,the legs are most of the time blurry.This is because they are so fast on their feet!
HemaShah
Karen they fly off in a split off a second!!
DanielePralong
Hema, your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
HemaShah
Thank you so much, Dr Sherpa.
Jim Nelson
Beautiful photo, Hema. Great posting!
Neil Ross
Explosive flight. I like that :) And I've experienced it with quails here too, and they frightened me half to death. This is a lovely spotting, Hema, and such a beautiful bird. Nice one.
Photographed
PublishedOctober 10, 2016

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