Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 7.9–9.1 in
20–23 cm - Wingspan
- 16.1–16.9 in
41–43 cm - Weight
- 4.3–8.1 oz
122–230 g
Other Names
- Harlequin Quail
- Colin arlequin (French)
- Codorniz Moctezuma (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The Montezuma Quail usually crouches and stays still when danger threatens, and then explodes into flight from a leaping start if the danger comes too close. In captivity, even with clipped wings, it can leap at least 2 m (6.5 feet) straight up, often with enough force to cause severe injury or death if it strikes the roof of a cage.
Habitat
Open Woodland
Pine-oak forest, arid montane scrub, and northern temperate grassland.
Food
Omnivore
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 2–15 eggs
- Condition at Hatching
- Downy and able to follow mother.
Nest Placement
Ground
Behavior
Ground Forager
Conservation
Least Concern
The secretive nature of the species makes obtaining accurate population estimates difficult. It is hunted in the three states where it occurs.
Credits
- Stromberg, M. R. 2000. Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae). In The Birds of North America No. 524 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.