Gambel's Quail Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
California Quail
Male
California Quail occur mainly along the West Coast of North America, to the west of Gambel's range. Male California Quail have black-and-white scaling on the belly, unlike Gambel's buffy belly. They also have fine black-and-white markings on the back of the neck.
© Brad Imhoff | Macaulay LibraryUtah, June 30, 2016Similar Species
California Quail
Female
Female California Quail have prominent scaling on the belly and lack the buffy belly of Gambel's Quail.
© Ariel Cabrera Foix | Macaulay LibraryRegión Metropolitana de Santiago, April 11, 2017Similar Species
Scaled Quail
Adult
Scaled Quail have a peaked head with a short, rear-pointing crest, unlike Gambel's Quail's forward-curving black head plume. Scaled Quail are sandy brown overall with a scaled effect on the neck, breast, and belly.
© Jeffrey Moore | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 15, 2014Similar Species
Mountain Quail
Adult
Mountain Quail normally occur to the west of and at higher elevations than Gambel's Quail. They have a long, straight head plume instead of Gambel's shorter, forward-curving plume; and they have thick vertical white stripes on the side instead of narrower horizontal stripes.
© Matt Davis | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 15, 2015Main Species
Gambel's Quail
Male
Plump game bird with comma-shaped, forward-facing crest. Useful markings include creamy buff belly with black central patch, chestnut sides, and bright cinnamon-brown crown.
© Jason Vassallo | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 15, 2020Female
Plump, short-legged game bird with short, forward-facing crest. Buffy belly and chestnut sides. Females are fairly plain gray on the head and neck, and lack the male's black belly patch.
© Eric Gofreed | Macaulay LibraryArizona, December 28, 2016Male
Walks along the ground, jutting its head forward, and picking at seeds and plant material on the ground. This video has no audio.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, October 01, 1996Not all videos have sound
Male
Combination of cinnamon crown, buffy belly with black central patch, and chestnut sides make this species distinctive.
© Mary McSparen | Macaulay LibraryArizona, January 26, 2020Female
Plump game bird with gray-brown head and neck, chestnut sides, and buffy belly. Usually forages on the ground, but sometimes moves into low shrubs or cacti.
© Bryan Calk | Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, November 22, 2019Male and female
A classic bird of the deserts of southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico. Usually forages on the ground, but sometimes moves into low shrubs or cacti.
© Scott Olmstead | Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 30, 2016Male and juvenile
In summer, flocks or coveys usually consist of a male and female plus up to 16 offspring. Juveniles have buffy-brown heads and mottled brown and black bodies.
© Arlene Ripley | Macaulay LibraryArizona, June 26, 2016Male and female
Gambel's Quails walk or run along the ground in groups called coveys that can include a dozen or more birds.
© Chris Rurik | Macaulay LibraryColorado, April 03, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
New World Quail(Order: Galliformes, Family: Odontophoridae)
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