(Callipepla californica)
The California Quail was brought to Vancouver Island sometime between 1880 and 1890 and their numbers began to increase right away. For the next 70 years, their numbers increased until you could see them everywhere. But then during the ’50s, their numbers began to decrease. I would assume that this would be a direct result of habitat loss. There was also a release of mountain quail, and they could be seen at higher elevations, but there has not been a sighting since the 1990s.
Today, they can still be found in open tracts of land surrounded by bush, but they are not very common. These beautiful small birds have blueish upperparts and brown wings. the undercoloration on the belly looks almost scale-like. Both sexes have the common black feathers on the head that all quails have, this is more pronounced in the males. Males have a black head with white stripes and the female’s head is mottled brown with a darker distinct eye stripe. they are about the size of a pigeon.
They nest on the ground in thick vegetation. The nest is built from grasses, leaves, and rootlets. From the time the eggs are laid to the fledglings take flight is about a month. In the fall, several family groups will gather together in what is commonly called a covey.
I have seen many in the Nanaimo area, The Chase River estuary is one place where if you are there just before dusk, there is a good possibility of seeing these beautiful little birds. I have seen them up on the high ground as well as right down on the flats. They are a joy to observe going about their evening search for food and perhaps a bit of grit.
I have lived in Nanaimo, BC for a year and today is the first time I have seen these beautiful birds. It must be a covey as it is a group of about 20 birds. They have been feeding in my yard and the yards on either side and behind me most of the day!
awesome, they are such beautiful birds
I just saw two females and a whole lot of chicks in Colwood. It’s 3 August – isn’t it late for chicks, isn’t it?
Quails can lay eggs well into the end of July/ beginning of August.
Light is the main factor. Quail need at least 14 hours a day of light to
stimulate them to lay eggs consistently. So once the days start getting
shorter in the fall, they stop laying eggs. In the wild they usually
have 2 broods, this is why you see the chicks now, they would be the
second brood.
Where can I get Quail eggs to hatch new Duncan. We would love to hatch and release
Where do they nest in the Winter on Vancouver Island?
California quail here on the island will spend the winter in large coveys that can be quite large. In the spring, they will pair off to breed.
Where do go in the winter? We had lots this summer, about 4 different groups, we love to watch them, but just this morning I thought hey where have they gone, and how do they survive our winter. We live in Duncan
As these birds do not migrate, one must wonder why they are so hard to find during the winter. The answer is they are very good at finding places to shelter. They will gather in coveys and huddle at night to survive the cold temps. They increase the amount of feathers and fluff them up to produce an insulating layer of warm air.
Hi Jody,
The Merlin Bird ID app on my phone picked up the sound of a California Quail this morning on the farm near Paldi (March 2/23). I was standing in an area with a lot of tall grasses, half-covered with snow. Perhaps this is good habitat for them for overwintering!
Janet
I have a few running around in Qualicum Beach. A few doves as well.
There is a small flock (8-10) that live under our deck and catch the seeds the birds drop from our feeders. Funny little guys!
I live in Saseenos(Sooke), and we get anywhere from 30 – 100 Quail in our yard every day! They wreck the lawn, but we don’t care because we LOVE them!
Awe, lucky you. They are such beautiful birds.
I found your website because of questions regarding quail. Thanks very much!
Are you taking any groups out this year? Or next?
not sure yet, will post on this site if i do
We live in Whiskey Creek (Qualicum Beach area) and have 4 california quail in our yard daily.