Species BirdsCalifornia Quail

California Quail

Callipepla californica

CommonBird
Illustration of California Quail (Callipepla californica)

The California Quail is the state bird of California, recognized by the teardrop-shaped plume of scale-like feathers that curves forward from its crown. Family groups called 'coveys' often include a sentinel bird that calls alarm at the first sign of danger while the others feed. Chicks leave the nest within hours of hatching and can run within days.

Habitat
Chaparral, oak woodlands, urban parks, and coastal scrub
Diet
Seeds, leaves, berries, and insects
How common
Common

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