California Quail

Birds / California Quail

Information for Juniors

Californian quail were introduced into Nelson in 1865
Most commonly found in uncultivated scrubland near water
A small plump game bird found in both islands
The male has a striking black face bordered with white with a conspicuous plume on its head
The female is smaller and duller in colour with a less obvious plume
They are gregarious and live together in coveys of between 10 and 100
The coveys break up into breeding pairs in late winter and the first eggs appear in late September
You will probably see the parents herding their chicks in single file as they hunt for food
The mother leads the chicks with dad as watchman at the back
The nest is concealed in thick cover on the ground and up to 20 eggs may be laid
The eggs are white with black/brown speckles
After hatching the chicks are very active and are able to fly at three weeks

Information for Junior Secondary

The native NZ quail is considered extinct since 1870.
Californian quail were introduced into Nelson in 1865
Most commonly found in uncultivated scrubland near water
A small plump game bird found in both islands
The male has a striking black face bordered with white with a conspicuous plume on its head
The female is smaller and duller in colour with a less obvious plume
They are gregarious and live together in coveys of between 10 and 100
The coveys break up into breeding pairs in late winter and the first eggs appear in late September
You will probably see the parents herding their chicks in single file as they hunt for food
The mother leads the chicks with dad as watchman at the back
The nest is concealed in thick cover on the ground and up to 20 eggs may be laid
The eggs are white with black/brown speckles
After hatching the chicks are very active and are able to fly at three weeks

Information for Senior Secondary

Californian quail were introduced into Nelson in 1865
Most commonly found in uncultivated scrubland near water
A small plump game bird found in both islands
The male has a striking black face bordered with white with a conspicuous plume on its head
The female is smaller and duller in colour with a less obvious plume
They are gregarious and live together in coveys of between 10 and 100
The coveys break up into breeding pairs in late winter and the first eggs appear in late September
Young quail love insects but as they get older they consume seeds, fruits and leaves. Morning is their feeding time
You will probably see the parents herding their chicks in single file as they hunt for food
The mother leads the chicks with dad as watchman at the back
The male quail is aggressive an often fights other males, protecting their mate
Courtship includes head dips, puffing up their feathers and spreading their tail feathers
The nest is concealed in thick cover on the ground and up to 20 eggs may be laid
The eggs are white with black/brown speckles
After hatching the chicks are very active and are able to fly at three week

Take a photograph clear enough to see the detail of the feathers
Show me that you have studied how the feathers lie on the body, write a short description of the different types of feathers you see as best you can describe the colour, size, feather shape and how the feathers react with other feathers around them