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Gambel's Quail

Callipepla gambelii ORDER: GALLIFORMES FAMILY: ODONTOPHORIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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A bird of the Desert Southwest, Gambel's Quail is common in much of the Southwest, particularly southern Arizona and New Mexico. Here they look and act very much like the more widespread California Quail, but the two species' ranges do not overlap. Look for these tubby birds running between cover in suburbs and open desert or posting a lookout on low shrubs.

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At a GlanceHelp

Measurements
Both Sexes
Length
9.8 in
25 cm
Wingspan
13.4–14.2 in
34–36 cm
Weight
5.6–7.1 oz
160–200 g
Relative Size
Larger than a Northern Bobwhite; slightly smaller than a Chukar or Gray Partridge
Other Names
  • Colin Gambel (French)
  • Cordorniz de Gambel (Spanish)

Cool Facts

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

Habitat


Scrub

Areas of brushy and thorny desert vegetation.

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Food


Seeds

Seeds, leaves, fruits, and a few insects.

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Nesting

Nesting Facts
Egg Description
White with brown splotches.
Condition at Hatching
Downy and able to follow mother.
Nest Placement

Ground
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Behavior


Ground Forager
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Conservation

status via IUCN

Least Concern
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Credits

  • 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.
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