Browse all birds

Mountain Quail Identification

Mountain Quail Adult
Adult

Large, round-bodied quail with 2 straight plumes, that often appear as one on top of its head. Note chestnut throat, bold white bars on its side, and a short tail.

© Aaron Maizlish | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 27, 2014
Mountain Quail Adult
Adult

Large, round-bodied quail with 2 straight plumes, that often appear as one on top of its head. Note chestnut throat, bold white bars on its side, and rusty undertail coverts.

© Ken Chamberlain | Macaulay LibraryOregon, July 12, 2015
Mountain Quail Adult
Adult

Rapidly walks or runs along the ground, usually sticking close to cover.

© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 27, 1997
Mountain Quail Immature
Immature

Immatures are mottled brown overall with a shorter brown plume.

© Matt Davis | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 05, 2016
Mountain Quail Adult
Adult

Found in shrubby areas in mountains in the western United States.

© Matt Davis | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 15, 2015
Mountain Quail Adult
Adult

Forages primarily on the ground. Rapidly kicks its feet back and forth in leaf litter to uncover seeds and insects.

© Jeff Stacey | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 02, 2015
See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

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.
Relative Size

Relative Sizebetween robin and crowbetween robin and crow
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 10.2-12.2 in (26-31 cm)
    • Weight: 6.7-9.2 oz (189-262 g)

Species in This Family

New World Quail(Order: Galliformes, Family:Odontophoridae)

Mountain QuailMountain Quail
Northern BobwhiteNorthern Bobwhite
Scaled QuailScaled Quail
California QuailCalifornia Quail
Gambel's QuailGambel's Quail
Montezuma QuailMontezuma Quail

Browse Species in This Family

More to Read