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Mountain Quail

Oreortyx pictus ORDER: GALLIFORMES FAMILY: ODONTOPHORIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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

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
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

Similar Species

  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    California Quail

    Adult male
    • Curved, not straight topknot
    • Black face in the male
    • Pale lower chest
    • © Simon Richards, British Columbia, Canada, July 2012
  • Adult female and male
    Zoom In

    California Quail

    Adult female and male
    • Curved, not straight topknot
    • Black face in the male
    • Scalloped markings on lower chest and stomach
    • © Ben Clock, Point Reyes Station, California, October 2008

Similar Species

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

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