Starker Leopold, a noted conservationist, once wrote, “There is no more delightful bird to have around the yard than the California Quail.” I’ve never been much of a birder, but I’m captivated by the two quail families that live on our property. I find myself listening for their call, searching out the male sentry and sneaking around for a glimpse of the chicks.
I can pick out the morning assembly call: Chi-co-go, often crowed from our neighbor’s rooftop or the pool wall. Out scurries another male with a couple of older chicks. They forage near the swing set, by the pool, eventually retiring in the shade of the side yard. The boys and I have spent many a minute listening and watching.
In the same area we’ve seen a male, female and three newly hatched chicks, who are tiny compared to the other “babies.” I’m wondering if the same female laid two clutches of eggs this year, a twice a decade occurrence. This would explain why the older chicks might be tended by Daddy and a benevolent uncle. Or perhaps the pair lost their first nest to pesky ground squirrels. We had a lot of them running around this warm winter.
I’ve tried to get pictures of our quail, but the males are fantastic watchmen. When they see me they shout a warning: pit-pit! Then — hurry scurry — everyone dives for cover. I now understand why wildlife photographers own telephoto lenses.
If you want to learn more about the quail, the California State Bird, check out the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for video, audio and more. If you enjoy birding, you can report sightings and peruse data at eBird.
Kirsten W. Larson 
We had quail living near us when we lived in Utah. My boys and I used to love watching them. The way they walk makes me laugh. 🙂
Someone once described them as “soccer balls on legs.” They are hilarious to watch, especially when they are running in a line.
Everybody ought to be so lucky as to have “a benevolent uncle” in their lives! Love this! I’m watching a Blue Bird “family” of four this morning from my breakfast table; they are breathtakingly beautiful but not always so nice to one another.
The quail are amazingly non-aggressive. And it does amaze me how readily the males will gather up the orphans into family groups. Enjoy those bluebirds!
I was never interested in quail until I read your post. Your writing style really draws me in. You’ve really got a gift there…
Well, they are my current inspiration…We’ll see if I can do the quail justice. Thanks for the encouragement, Paul!
If you can get your hands on a copy, read That Quail Robert. I lowned mine out and can’t remember where but I ADORE THAT BOOK! You will too, so lucky! Video-post too one day???
Oooh, thanks for the book tip. And I will try to get some video. Again, I need better tools. The point-and-shoot just doesn’t cut it.
I’ve heard of That Quail Robert! I can’t quite remember it, but I know we used to have it. Isn’t it fun to watch back yard wildlife? I love it!
And here I am looking for “The Quail Report” like “The Colbert Report.” Good morning, brain! I did find it to purchase online, and I’ll have to get it. As a nonfiction writer, I find there’s nothing quite like first-hand observation when writing about animals. And backyard wildlife present lots of opportunities.
I want to watch a video now! I like the pics!
Ok, ok, quail fans. I’ll try to shoot some video next week. Maybe I need my husband to rig a quail cam. 🙂
Cute! We have cardinals coming to the bird feeder, it’s lovely.