While I truly love all birds (yes, even starlings and crows!), California Quail make my Favorite List. I just never grow tired of seeing them. California Quail are round, plump birds of dry chaparral and sagebrush habitat. The males are exquisitely feathered, with beautiful colors and texture. A delicate feathered plume droops from the top of the head. Females, as expected, are more subdued in appearance, but still have the head plume.

California Quail are adorable and fun to watch.  I watched a pair have a dustbath the other day.  They seemed to be having a great time, pushing their bellies into the sand and spreading dust clouds all about.  This is a way for them to get rid of parasites. When approached, quail typically will run rather than fly.  If they are surprised, they will flush in a loud beating of wings.  They make a sharp, clucking sound if danger is nearby.

The best time to observe California Quail is the summer months.  My favorite location to see and photograph quail is at the Point Reyes National Seashore in California.  Here, the birds are plentiful and will often perch on fence posts by the side of the road.  By carefully driving up alongside them and using the car as a blind, I have been able to get very close to these birds.  In contrast, trying to get close on foot is nearly impossible.  Quail are not the fastest flyers, and are quite conspicuous if exposed.  Their best defense against predation is concealment in the underbrush.

Quail families are out and about at Point Reyes right now.  They are just a joy to watch and study.  Both parents stay close to the little ones and participate in the child-rearing.  With chicks in tow, quail are even more skittish and are even difficult to approach by car.  I generally see families with around 10 chicks. In the fall and winter, I find quail more difficult to observe.  At this time of year, the quail form coveys, or packs, of dozens of birds.