California quail
Callipepla californica
Identification Tips:
- Small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged ground-dwelling bird
- Immature similar to female
Adult male:
- Black, forward-tilting, teardrop-shaped crest
- Pale buff forehead
- Dark brown cap
- Black face
- White border to face
- Blackish nape stippled with white spotting
- Dark blue-gray chest
- Brown back and upperwings
- Buff belly with darker scaly markings and chestnut center
- Brown flanks with white streaks
Adult female:
- Short, curved, dark brown, teardrop-shaped crest
- Gray or brown head, chest, back, and upperwings
- Chestnut flanks with white streaks
- Pale belly with darker scaly markings
Similar species:
Mountain Quail has chestnut face, unscaled belly, and gray crown.
Gambel's Quail lacks pale forehead, stippled nape and scaly belly.