Gambel's Quail

Gambel's Quail, adult male

About the photographs

About the map

Play sound from this species

Gambel's Quail, female

Gambel's Quail, male, molting topknot

Menu

1. Cool Facts
2. Description
3. Similar Species
4. Sound
5. Range
6. Habitat
7. Food
8. Reproduction
9. Other Names

A common bird of the Sonoran Desert, the Gambel's Quail frequents suburbs as well as desert. Its forward-curling topknot makes it easy to identify.

Cool Facts

• Although the Gambel's Quail is adapted to living in a dry, desert environment, it reproduces best in years with adequate rainfall.

Description

• Size: 25 cm (10 in)
• Wingspan: 34-36 cm (13-14 in)
• Weight: 160-200 g (5.65-7.06 ounces)

• Medium-sized quail.
• Forward-facing plume on top of head (topknot).
• Belly unmarked or with black patch.
• Sides chestnut.

Sex Differences

Male more boldly patterned, with black face, black belly patch, and larger topknot.

Immature

Immature similar to adult.

Similar Species

• California Quail similar, but lacks chesnut on flanks, has scaling on the belly, and white and black markings on neck.

Sound

Call a loud, nasal "ka-KAA-ka."

Range

Range Map

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

About the map

Summer Range

Resident from southern Utah and western Colorado southward to northern Mexico.

Habitat

Areas of brushy and thorny desert vegetation.

Food

Seeds, leaves, fruits, and a few insects.

Reproduction

Egg Description

White with brown splotches.

Condition at Hatching

Downy and able to follow mother.

Other Names

Colin Gambel (French)
Cordorniz de Gambel (Spanish)

Sources used to construct this page:

Brown, D. E., J. C. Hagelin, M. Taylor, and J. Galloway. 1998. Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii). In The Birds of North America, No. 321 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.