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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Mountain Quail

Oreortyx pictus ORDER: GALLIFORMES FAMILY: ODONTOPHORIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

A large quail with an exclamation mark atop its head, the Moutain Quail is found throughout the mountains of the far western United States.

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Appearance

Gamebirds
Gamebirds
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Large quail.
  • Runs on ground.
  • Small round head with long plume sticking straight up.
  • Round body with short tail.
  • Reddish face.
  • Bold white bars on flanks.

Immature Description

Similar to adult, but less strongly marked.

Range Map Help

Mountain Quail Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Male
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    Mountain Quail

    Male
    • © Brian E. Small, June 2000

Similar Species

  • California Quail has curved, not straight topknot, a black face in the male, and a pale lower chest.