Mountain Quail

Description: The mountain quail is the largest of all North American quail. It’s easily identified by the long, straight plume angling from the front of the head to the back. The chest, neck, and head are blue-gray, the back is brown-gray, and the throat is chestnut bordered in white. The sides are chestnut with white bars. The sexes are similar, though females have shorter plumes and are duller in color. Average size: 10-12 inches. Average weight: 8-10 ounces.

Science: Mountain quail are found in areas with steep terrain and high, dense cover in the mountainous regions of the far western states, often at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet. They are thought to travel distances of up to twenty miles from their breeding areas at high elevations to their wintering areas at lower elevations. They eat a wide variety of plants, berries, and seeds, including wild grape, snowberry, hackberry, Manzanita berry, acorns, tubers, and some insects. They form small coveys of fewer than ten birds. Wintering flocks may include as many as sixty birds. Mountain quail are not widely studied due to their terrain and the difficulties involved in finding them, but there are thought to be at least five subspecies. The population is thought to be stable, as they are not as susceptible to environmental conditions as other quail.

Hunting: Because of the terrain they inhabit, these birds can be very difficult to find and thus are not often hunted specifically. Many birds are taken by hunters searching for chucker or California quail at higher altitudes. Pointing dogs who work thick cover are valuable. The eating quality is excellent: the meat is tender, white, and mild.