Animal Tracks - California Valley Quail


These perfect quail tracks in dust show all the details of the feet


The male California quail has a tuft of feathers on top of the head. The female has them too, but they are much smaller.


Quail tracks crossing a dirt road. Quail spend most of their time on the ground. Their tracks are usually found in a line like this because they run rather than hop. Birds that spend most of their time in trees tend to hop, with their feet paired, rather than run when on the ground.


Line of quail tracks in dust. The farther apart the tracks are, the faster the bird was running.

	This quail was perched at the top of a berry vine while the others in the covey fed on the ground below. Quail often have one individual bird who acts as a lookout while others feed. This cooperative arrangement helps keep the entire group safer from predators.
A male California valley quail. Note the two feathers that make up the plume on the top of his head. The males have this bright, bold coloring. Females have a small plume and more subtle coloring.
	This quail acted as lookout for others who were feeding at my bird feeder. This is a male. The males have a bold pattern on the face and a bigger plume than the females.
Quail scats in dust. Scats look like pellets and often one end is somewhat pointed. The whitish material is frequently found in bird scats.

	A fresh quail scat on sandstone. This one shows some flattening on the end that struck the ground. Sometimes, there is whitish material on one end as well.


More California quail scats. The whitish uric material at the end is typical of bird scats.


The right footprint of a quail. The small "toe" which faces backward is called the hallux and is found in some bird tracks.	Quail dust bath. Birds will often use dusty places to roll in and clean their feathers. Some think this is a way to remove pests.


Walking gait of a quail.


The two photo above show the trails of quail in dust. When running, their tracks will be placed further apart. This is the normal walking gait.


Quail track in dust


Quail dust bath site



Quail dust bath site with feathers and quail tracks


Quail dust bath. Quail use these daily.


Quail dust bath site


Quail dust bath under a building



Quail dust bath. Look closely inside and you can see feathers that belong to the bird who made it. See below for those feathers up close. This is how you can tell which species made the dust bath. Also use additional clues, such as tracks and size of the dust bath.


Close-up showing a quail body feather that was found in the dust bath shown in the photo above it.


Quail nest with un-hatched eggs.


Close-up of quail nest after hatching of the eggs.


Quail nest under a rock overhang. These eggs have hatched.


A male quail runs across a dirt road.


Pair of quail near a feeding brush rabbit.


Female California quail.


Three quail scats


A California quail scat.


quail scat


Huge quail scat found at Abbott's Lagoon, Pt. Reyes National Seashore


quail egg


quail egg


Personal Notes on California Valley Quail

I frequently hear these birds when I'm out hiking. Many times, I have startled a covey of quail and they have taken wing with a roar. It's pretty loud when about 50 birds take flight all at once! The call of the quail reminds me of summer and many pleasant walks in my favorite campground, Albee Creek Campground. When the young quail are hatched, they follow their parents around in a little group. I've watched several broods grow up. The little quail will run and hide at the first sign of danger. One of the parents is always on the lookout for any predators. I've always enjoyed seeing quail. The photos below are of some of the quail families I have known over the years.


Male California quail


Some tiny quail chicks who walked into a shed


Two photos showing quail family


Young quail feeding


Family of quail feeding under some brush


Female quail with short tuft of feathers on top of head


Mid-summer quail young


Three quail chicks following their mother


Daddy quail with one baby quail


Youngsters with their mother


Quail family crossing road


Three young quail with their mother


Family of quail


Quail with babies


Young quail


Quail in mid-summer, not quite full grown yet


Baby quail


Young quail


Family of quail taking a dust bath


Mama quail with three little ones


Daddy and baby quail


Three quail

Natural History of the California Valley Quail

This is the state bird of California. Quail spend most of their time foraging on the ground, therefore their tracks are found in a line, one after the other. Both male and female have a teardrop-shaped tuft of dark feathers on top of the head, although the female is not as boldly colored as the male. After the breeding season, quail live together in groups called coveys. These groups of up to 200 birds are composed of parents and young. Parents closely watch their young. While the group is feeding, one bird will act as a sentinel to warn the group of any approaching danger. If you’re hiking along and startle a covey of quail, they will all burst into flight at once with a roaring of wings. These small, plump birds roost in trees for safety. They can be found inhabiting parks and woodland edges. Quail tracks are frequently found on sandy river bars. Their calls can be heard in the summer. The call, which sounds like Chi-ca-go, is often given from a low perch.