Quail in Arizona: Biology, Distribution, and Habitat Management >>
Introduction
During the last 15 years, hunters, wildlife managers, and outdoor enthusiasts have noted a general decline in the number of quail seen on any given day spent in the field. Data from breeding bird surveys indicate a steady decline in quail throughout much of their range. Quail populations naturally fluctuate widely and are often referred to as a “boom or bust” species. These fluctuations are typically short-term natural population changes, unlike the long-term decline we are witnessing today.
Many factors contribute to this decline but the facts remain; quail are losing habitat and the quality of the remaining habitat has diminished. However, proper range management can do more for quail habitat than any other management practice.
Quail are a relatively short-lived species relying on high productivity over a short period of time. Maximizing their production is key to maintaining quail populations. During good quail producing years, young of the year will comprise 70-84% of the total quail population in the fall.
These high-production periods occur during favorable weather and moisture conditions. For Gambel’s and scaled quail, above average moisture results in good plant growth and good quail production. For Montezuma quail, summer rains are key to good production.
Adverse weather such as prolonged periods of extreme cold, snow cover, hail storms, or severe drought will adversely affect quail populations. Optimum quail habitat will moderate these impacts during harsh times and allow quail populations to rapidly rebound during favorable weather conditions.
Causes Of Mortality
Like most gallinaceous (chicken-like) birds, quail vary in abundance from year to year. If fact, most quail die in their first year of life. Annual precipitation has a significant influence on abundance, particularly summer precipitation. Population levels are typically at their highest point shortly after the young-of-the-year hatch. The population will decline over time to a low point just before the next breeding season.
Populations may be low in areas that receive extremely heavy hunting pressure near urban areas and areas with high road densities. However, hunter harvest is considered compensatory (removing what would have died from natural mortality anyway) and appears to have little permanent effect on populations in habitats even in poor condition.
Housing development expands into quail habitat
Quail are taken by numerous predators. Several predatory bird species take quail. They include Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii), northern harriers (Circus cyaneus), prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus), Harris hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus),Swainson’s hawks (Buteo swainsoni), great-horned owls (Bubo virginianus), and greater roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus). Skunks (Mephitis spp.), raccoons (Procyon lotor), ringtails (Bassariscus astutus), foxes (Vulpes spp.), coatis (Nasua nasua), badgers (Taxidea taxus), bobcats (Felis rufus), and coyotes (Canis latrans) are potential nest predators feeding on adults and young birds. Chicks are taken by many species. Introduced bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) have been known to take chicks at water sources. Eggs and newly hatched young also fall prey to pack rats (Neotoma spp.), ground squirrels (Spermophilus spp), snakes (Colubridae and Viperidae), and ants (Formicidae). Domestic cats and dogs also contribute to quail mortality.
The best defense against predators is providing abundant nest sites and escape cover. Habitat deficiencies should be addressed before conducting any predator control.
Back to Top
What is Good Quail Habitat?
Quail require four basic habitat components: food, cover, water, and space. When habitat requirements are nearby, travel through less than optimal habitat is reduced. Optimal habitat quality results in smaller home ranges increasing quail survival.
Back to Top
Food
Seeds of annual forbs and grasses such as snakeweed (Gutierrezia spp.), croton (Croton spp.), pigweed (Amaranthus spp.), bristlegrass (Setaria spp.), and panicgrass (Panicum spp.) are essential food sources for quail. They sometimes comprise 70% of a quail’s annual diet. Green vegetation such as filaree or storksbill (Erodium spp.) and kochia (Kochia scoparium) becomes essential food in the late winter, early spring, and summer months by improving quail body condition and thereby improving nesting success.
| Common Quail Foods Table 1 |
| Montezuma Quail |
Scaled Quail |
Gambel’s Quail |
Gray’s woodsorrel (Oxalis grayi)
Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentes)
Oak acorns (Quercus spp.)
Whitemouth dayflower (Commelina erecta)
Piñon pine (Pinus edulis) |
Mesquite (Prosopis spp.)
Snakeweed (Gutierezzia spp.)v
Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)
Pigweed (Amaranthus spp.)
Croton (Croton spp.)
Plains bristlegrass (Setaria)
Dropseeds (Sporobolus spp.)
Ragweed (Ambrosia spp.)
Kochia (Kochia scoparium) |
Russian thistle (Salsola tragus)
New Mexico lotus (Lotus neomexicanus)
Mentzellia (Mentzellia spp.)
Wolf berry (Lycium spp.)
Sumac (Rhus spp.)
Acacia (Acacia spp.)
Kochia (Kochia scoparium)
Prickleypear cactus (Opuntia spp.)
Filaree or storksbill (Erodium spp.) |
Succulent fruits from Christmas cactus (Opuntia lepticaulis) and prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) are eaten in the summer and fall. In the fall, Gambel’s quail often eat mistletoe berries from cottonwood and oak trees. Ironically, many plants favored by quail are considered weed species and emerge after soil disturbances.
Insects, often eaten by adults, are critical to nourishing young chicks. Insects are considered the ideal quail food providing protein, energy, and water. Managing for a diversity of forbs (broad-leafed weeds) will provide an abundance of insects and seeds.
Montezuma quail differ from other quail by feeding mainly on underground bulbs and tubers of wood sorrel and nut sedges. Insects are second, followed by grass and forb seeds.
Table 1 provides a sample of plants, seeds, and nuts commonly eaten by quail in Arizona. Insects are not included but are extremely important to all species.
Back to Top
Cover
Adequate cover is an essential component of quail habitat. Cover refers to the structure of the habitat. When differing cover types are provided, food and water generally are not a limiting factor. Necessary types of cover include nesting,
brooding, loafing, roosting, escape and thermo-regulation (providing shade, warmth, or cover from adverse weather conditions, i.e. hail). Nesting cover is extremely important and is typically associated with grasses that form a canopy over the nest, protecting it from the sun and rain and concealing the hen while she is incubating. Examples of nesting cover plants are bunchgrasses and bluestem (Andropogon, Bothriochloa, and Schizachyrium spp.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and tobosagrass (Hilaria mutica).
Quail habitat severely impacted by inappropriate grazing and drought
Bunchgrasses are typically considered desirable cattle forage and can become unsuitable to quail when they average less than 8 inches (in) tall and/or occur at a rate of less than 200 clumps per acre (ac). At this point grazing should be
deferred. Conversely, when bunchgrasses exceed 500 clumps per ac, management techniques such as grazing or burning, should be applied to increase the amount of bare ground.
Although bunchgrass is important to most species of quail for nesting habitat, it is by no means the only vegetation used for nesting. Gambel’s quail often create small depressions in leaf litter at the base of a shrub. In some areas, pricklypear cactus and mesquite (Prosopis spp.) are important nest sites. Even in these later examples, grass such as bush muhly (Muhlenbergia porteri) is an important component of the nest site.
Brood cover is very important to young birds. Newly hatched chicks require open ground to move around but also a vegetation overstory to protect them from predators. This overstory is usually a mixture of forbs such as snakeweek, croton, sunflower (Helianthus spp.), and tall grasses. These form a dense canopy above and bare ground below. Insects are attracted to these areas, and they provide the needed protein source for the growing chicks. Loafing and escape cover are the most important components of suitable quail habitat often lacking in many areas. Loafing cover is required during periods when quail are not feeding, avoiding predators, resting in shade, or seeking protection from adverse weather. This shrub cover is typically composed of mesquite, sumac (Rhus spp.), shinnery oak (Quercus havardii), fourwinged saltbush (Atriplex canescens), winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), sandsage (Artemesia filifolia), yucca (Yucca spp.), and other tall shrubs. They form a dense overstory and an open understory. Suitable loafing and escape cover is approximately 4 feet high and 7 foot by 7 foot (ft) wide. The proper distribution of loafing cover will vary by quail species, habitat type, and topography. For most species, loafing and escape cover should be 60 ft. apart. Artificial loafing areas such as brush piles can be created but
require regular maintenance.
Roosting cover varies for each species and typically occurs at ground level. Scaled and bobwhite quail prefer roosting in tight circles at night in grassy, relatively open areas with little overhead cover allowing for quick escape when disturbed. Gambel’s quail are the only species that use trees or shrubs for roosting. Montezuma quail is another ground roosting bird requiring tall grass for thermal cover. At night, Montezuma quail huddle in tight groups on the ground in tall grass commonly in a drainage bottom. The roost site is often near habitat structure that provides additional thermal cover. In the winter, grassy southeast facing slopes are often preferred.
A mosaic of various cover types on approximately 1-5 ac sized plots over a large area will typically provide most quail habitat requirements. When plant diversity is low, quail populations are low or non-existent.
Back to Top
Good quail habitat surrounds this earthen tank
Water
Water availability was once considered an important aspect of wildlife management. However, biologists are realizing wildlife in the Southwest have developed many different ways for meeting their needs without relying on permanent, free-standing water sources.
Quail are able to meet their water needs from sources such as dew, green vegetation, fruits, and insects. Quail will use freestanding water when available, but providing it should not be emphasized in habitat improvement projects. Water allowed to flow onto the ground from storage overflow or stock ponds increases forb and insect production. Typically, areas near stock water troughs are devoid of grasses and herbaceous vegetation but large shrubs may be present. If moderate use of livestock watering occurs at dirt tanks, thick stands of tall vegetation may occur. Plants such as sacred thornapple (Datura wrightii), provide food and cover for quail. All wildlife guzzlers and livestock water troughs should be equipped with access and escape ramps to prevent drowning of quail and other wildlife. If water sources are designed with quail in mind, escape cover should be provided nearby.
Waterspreading on rangeland is a multi-purpose practice to control soil erosion and conserve moisture. Runoff is diverted from eroding channels and spread over adjacent floodplains or valley floors. Benefits include retarding sediment, increasing forage and insect production, restoring groundwater, regulating stream flow, and improving wildlife habitat. The principal diversion structure is usually placed upstream, above the advancing headcut. This allows the gully to stabilize and re-vegetate.
Back to Top
Space
Another component of quail habitat is space. Space refers to open ground between cover types. Habitat should have the proper components and quantities of woody and herbaceous cover so distances between cover types allow free movement between them. Too much open ground between cover increases quail susceptibility to predation. Cover that is too dense makes it physically inaccessible.
Back to Top
Suggestions for Enhancing Quail Habitat
Defer grazing 1 out of 3 years on ranges in poor
condition and 1 out of 5 years on ranges in good
condition.
Grazing less than 50% of current annual
growth in years of average rainfall.
Maintain bunchgrass for nesting cover at 100-
300 clumps (12" diameter by 8" tall) per acre
depending on species.
Grass canopy cover should be maintained at
a 30% minimum for Scaled quail and greater
than 60% for Montezuma quail.
Avoid complete brush removal. Each species
requires brush for various reasons. Table 2
provides guidelines for each species when
planning habitat projects.
The distance between cover or brush is
extremely important as well. Again, each
species’ requirement is different.
| Guidelines For Habitat Improvement Projects |
| |
Scaled Quail |
Gambel's Quail |
Montezuma Quail |
| % of Tree or Brush Canopy Cover |
10-25% |
> 40% |
25-50% |
| % of Grass Canopy Cover |
30-50% |
30-50% |
> 60% |
| Distance Between Cover |
60 yards |
40-50 yards |
5-15 yards |
| Nesting Cover (bunch-grasses 12 in. in diameter and 8 in. tall) |
200-300 grass clumps per acre |
100-200 grass clumps per acre |
200-300 grass clumps per acre |
| Grazing % of Annual Growth Removed During Years of Average Rainfall |
< 50% |
< 50% |
< 50% |
Back to Top
Scaled Quail
(Blue quail, Cotton top)
(Callipepla squamata)
Identification
Breeding and Nesting
Home Range
Habitat Requirements
Food
Management Considerations
Requirements
Identification
Scaled quail are a grayish blue bird with a
conspicuous white-tipped crest commonly called
a “cotton top”. The name scaled quail comes
from the fish scale-like feathers on their breast
and mantle (upperback). The sexes look similar.
However the hen’s crest is smaller with a buff
hue and they have brown streaks on their throat.
Males’ throat patches are not streaked. Males
are typically much bluer than females during
mating season. Males call with a high raucous
“QUEESH” or a slow rhythmic “ket kut”. The
primary coverts on sub-adult birds are tipped
with white.
Back to Top |
 |
Breeding and Nesting
Like many other species, scaled quail nests
are constructed of grasses and feathers and
are found primarily on the ground. Nests are
occasionally found with an overhead cover of
woven grass, and are usually associated with a
guard object such as a pricklypear, yucca, dead
Russian thistle (Salsola tragus) or abandoned
farm machinery. Nesting begins as early as
April, peaking in June and continuing through
September.
The timing of adult pairing, nesting and egg
laying is dependent primarily on precipitation
and habitat condition. Double brooding (mating
with different males and laying two separate
clutches of eggs) has been documented. Clutches
range from 9-18 eggs but average 13. Nests seen
in May typically have more eggs than nests in
August. Hens may sometimes re-nest if the first
nest is destroyed. This depends on the hen’s
condition and if there is enough time to raise
chicks before cold weather arrives. If range
conditions are extremely dry during the nesting
season, scaled quail may delay pairing or stop
nesting altogether until conditions improve.
Back to Top
Home Range
Home range for scaled quail coveys are generally
larger than that of Gambel’s quail. This is
probably because the habitat they live in is
generally more open with cover spaced farther
apart. Home ranges during the winter vary from
25-84 ac to 175-519 ac. Summer ranges are larger,
typically 291-882 ac. Movements from summer
range to winter range are typically small, about
2.5 miles (mi) and are generally upward in
elevation into foothill habitat.
Back to Top
Habitat Requirements
Scaled quail are found in semi-arid rangelands
with mixed scrub (shrubs, grass, and bare
ground). Common vegetation includes mesquite,
pricklypear cactus, and scattered shrubs and
grasses. With good grass cover, scaled quail and
Gambel’s quail often occur together. In Arizona, scaled quail primarily inhabit the southeast part of the state
except high-elevation habitats.
Scaled quail appear linked to desert grasslands,
although they have been reported in areas
dominated by creosote bush in Mexico.
Typical scaled quail habitat
This species is generally associated with open
habitats and seem to avoid rugged slopes and
dense stream courses. They tend to avoid pure
grasslands, particularly stands of introduced
Lehman’s lovegrass and areas that lack
interspersed shrubs and forbs. In Arizona, scaled
quail are most abundant in areas with a diverse
community of 50% native grass and a canopy of
10% shrubs. Areas with dense trees (defined as
a tree or shrub greater than 5 ft. in height) were
avoided. When forb cover is high, perennial grass
cover appears less important.
Quail numbers may also be greater in areas
with high plant diversity. Scaled quail are
often observed in areas of high forb cover and
low perennial grass cover. Interspersed bare
ground also appears to be an important habitat
component, since this species will often run,
rather than fly when disturbed.
While this species remains common or abundant
in portions of its range, it is generally declining
due to habitat degradation. Scaled quail
populations are widely known for “boom and
bust” cycles in response to drought. However,
in contrast to Gambel’s quail, scaled quail
population response to winter precipitation is
less clear while spring and summer precipitation
appears to be more important. Scaled quail
seldom inhabit areas that receive less than 6 in. of
summer precipitation.
Back to Top
Food
Seeds from forbs make up the largest portion of
the scaled quail’s diet. Seeds most often eaten
are from those species considered undesirable as
range plants, including small-flowered milkvetch
(Astragalus nuttalianus), morning glory (Ipomoea
eriocarpa), foothill deervetch (Lotus humistratus),
lupine (Lupinus sparsiflorus), snakeweed,
doveweed, kochia, pigweed, and thistles (Salsola
spp., Scoparia iberica and Cirsium spp.). Seeds of
woody plants like mesquites, skunkbush, acacias
(Acacia spp.), wolfberry (Lycium berlandieri), and
hackberry (Celtis spp.) are important. Scaled quail
feed on green herbaceous material, especially
during winter and spring months. Green plants
are an important source of Vitamin A, which
is necessary for reproduction. Insects, when
available, are consumed by both adults and
young.
Back to Top
Management Considerations
Scaled quail may respond best to light or
moderate (25-35%) grazing. Many scaled quail
ranges have been overgrazed by livestock. This
results in a lack of lateral cover around loafing
and feeding areas.
Desirable cover plants for scaled quail include
saltbushes (Atriplex spp.) and winterfat, which
are consumed by livestock. Reduction of saltbush
decreases scaled quail carrying capacity. In areas
with light to no grazing, winterfat provides
excellent screening cover. Uniform heavy grazing
pressure degrades habitat quality for scaled quail
by reducing patchy ground cover.
In well-watered areas in Arizona, moderate
grazing may have been beneficial effect on quail
range by encouraging forbs and weeds that
provide a large portion of the scaled quail diet.
Upland sandy areas in fair to good range
condition provide optimum habitat for scaled
quail. These ranges
should experience light grazing (25 to 35%) by
cattle. This level of use maintains shrub and grass
habitat that is beneficial to scaled quail.
Increases or decreases in scaled quail numbers
have not been noted among ranges cleared
of mesquite, or ranges with small irregular
clearings within mesquite, or in undisturbed
mesquite. However, significantly more scaled
quail calls were heard in undisturbed mesquite
than in mesquite-free range. Mesquite and
broom snakeweed reduction projects may have
an adverse effect on winter food availability for
scaled quail.
Grasses including plains bristlegrass,
panicgrasses (Panicum spp.), knotgrass (Paspalum
distichum), and barnyardgrass (Echinocloa
crusgalli), that increase in abundance following a
reduction of mesquite are acceptable substitutes
in scaled quail diets. However, these grasses
are usually replaced by climax grasses, which
are beneficial as nesting cover but provide little
towards scaled quail food resources.
Scaled quail populations fluctuate widely and are
adversely affected by drought, heavy snow cover
and heavy rains. In Colorado, the movement
of winter coveys to farmlands was reduced by
the development of good winter habitat. This
included creating brush piles for overhead
cover, guzzlers (artificial sources of water used
by scaled quail for both water and cover), and
cover plantings around blowouts. Establishing
natural cover (vegetation native to a particular
area including mesquite, sumac, Apache plume,
or saltbush) is preferable to the construction of
artificial cover. Brush, post, and board piles,
however, are inexpensive and readily used by
scaled quail. Cover is especially important during
extreme weather such as blizzards, hailstorms,
and drought.
Recommended scaled quail habitat consists of
early succession (multi-layered canopy with
annual and perennial plants and grasses) plant
stages with annual and perennial forbs and some
food-producing shrubs. A patchwork of short
grasses, tall grasses and forbs, and at least 25%
low woody cover is ideal. Recommendations
for habitat improvement in Oklahoma include
maintaining natural cover by fencing off fourwing
saltbush and skunkbrush to protect them
from trampling and grazing by cattle. An area
to be managed for scaled quail should include
at least one loafing covert per 52 to 70 ac., or the
average size of a covey’s winter home range. In
Texas, recommendations include maintaining a
5 - 15 % brush canopy in pastures. At such levels,
the distance between loafing coverts should
ideally be about a softball throw apart (60-80
yds).
Back to Top
 |
Gambel’s Quail
(Callipepla gambelii)
Identification
Breeding and Nesting
Home Range
Habitat Requirements
Food
Management Considerations
Requirements
Identification
The Gambel’s quail is a very distinct quail with
a prominent teardrop-shaped black plume on
top of its head. The overall body color is grayish
with chestnut colored sides and plain underparts.
Males have a dark forehead, black throat and
belly patch, a chestnut crown. Females have a
smaller, less distinct plume and no black throat
or abdomen. The most often heard call of the
Gambel’s quail is the assembly call, this is a nasal
“Chi-ca-go-go”.
Back to Top |
Breeding And Nesting
Pair formation in Gambel’s quail follows the
break-up of winter coveys. Males leave winter
coveys first and begin seeking females. This
typically occurs during March, but may occur in
February or earlier during good years.
Nesting usually begins in April and lasts until
June or July. In extremely wet years, young
chicks may be observed as late as September.
Vitamin A, obtained from green vegetation
produced by winter moisture, is stored in the
quail’s liver. It stimulates reproductive organ
development and assists reproduction in this
species. Gambel’s quail may produce a double
clutch in wet years but typically produces only
a single brood. In extremely dry years, they may
have small clutches or not reproduce at all. The
average clutch size is 10-14 eggs. As with scaled
quail, Gambel’s quail may lay a second clutch if
the first is destroyed.
Back to Top
Home Range
Home range varies from 20-94 ac per covey.
Maximum yearly movement of coveys has
been reported to be less than 1.2 mi, although
individuals may travel greater distances. In one
study, 22% of birds displayed annual movements
greater than 1.8 mi.
Back to Top
Habitat Requirements
Gambel’s quail are a warm-desert resident
of brushy and thorny vegetation in parts of
the Chihuahuan Desert, as well as adjoining
cultivated lands. Favorite habitats within this
range are river valleys and drainages, including
those adjacent to cultivated fields. Generally
speaking, Gambel’s quail are closely associated
with honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)throughout it’s range.
Quality Gambel's quail habitat
Mesquite however is not essential to the bird’s welfare.
This is especially true along drainages. These
birds are particularly abundant along mesquite lined
rivers, creeks, and arroyos below an
elevation of 5,400 ft. Springs, seeps, and stock
tanks with good shrub components are favored.
Gambel’s quail are also associated with arroyos
dominated by obligate vegetation (usually occur
in arroyos), such as sumac and acacia.
Good populations are also found in Arizona's desert mountain foothills and arroyo-
laced plains within the Chihuahuan Desert,
scrub-invaded semi-desert grassland, and
interior chaparral communities. Key plants
other than mesquite include: Apache plume,
desert hackberry (Celtis pallida), desert willow
(Chilopsis linearis) catclaw acacia (Acacia greggii),
skunkbush, littleleaf sumac, pricklypear cactus
(Opuntia phaeacantha), chollas (Opuntia spp.),
desert thorns (Lycium spp.), and scrub oak
(Quercus turbinella). Dominant understory
plants may include brittlebush (Encelia farinosa),
triangle-leaf bursage (Ambrosia deltoidea), shrubby
buckwheat (Eriogonum wrightii), burroweed
(Haplopappus tenuisectus), jimmyweed (H.
pluriflorus), turpentine bush (H. laricifolius),
snakeweed, bush muhly (Muhlenbergia porteri),
and various dropseeds (Sporobolus spp.).
Important cover plants in bushy drainages
include: honey mesquite, littleleaf sumac, whitethorn
acacia (Acacia constricta), one-seed juniper
(Juniperus monosperma), bear grass (Nolina
microcarpa), allthorn (Koeberlinia spinosa), catclaw
acacia, condalia (Zizyphus obtusifolia), and various
yuccas.
In mountains adjacent to semi-desert grassland,
Gambel’s quail commonly extend upward
into chaparral and oak woodland habitats. In
some areas, this species may even be found in
pines forests. However, they avoid the densest
chaparral, and most piñon-juniper (Pinus edulis-
Juniperus spp.) woodlands that are too cold to
support Gambel’s quail. The few individuals
living within the Great Basin desert scrub are
confined to brushy drainages. Gambel's quail
are generally absent from the creosote bush
(Larrea tridentata) dominated plains that are such
an extensive landscape feature in the more arid
portions of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Other superior quail habitats can be found at
the edges of agriculture fields, especially those
adjacent to brush-lined river channels, irrigation
ditches, and remnant wildlands. Shrubby fence
rows are required components of cultivated quail
habitat, and the increasing tendency toward clean
farming has taken a toll on what were formerly
productive quail areas. The clearing of mesquite
trees in an effort to increase productivity
of western rangelands for cattle can also be
detrimental to Gambel’s quail.
Back to Top
Food
Gambel’s quail are primarily herbivorous, but
insects are important seasonally. Gambel’s
quail diets vary considerably throughout the
species’ range, but generally consist of seeds
gleaned from forbs, shrubs, trees, and cacti. Seeds
from legumes are important throughout their
range. Fruits from shrubs and cacti, particularly
pricklypear (Opuntia spp.), are important food
items. Green vegetation, filaree or storks
bill, stickleaf (Mentzelia spp.), and twinleaf
senna (Senna bauhinioides), are very important
during winter and early spring months before
reproduction. They provide much of the
quail’s moisture requirements. Like other
quail, insects are important, especially for the
growing young. Mesquite seeds and leaves,
mustards (Brassicaceae), ragweeds, sumac, acacia,
tumbleweed, and a host of other native seeds
produced by shrubs and forbs are consumed if
available.
Back to Top
Management Considerations
Unlike other southwestern quails, which roost
on the ground, Gambel’s quail typically seek a
night-time roost in leafy or densely branched
shrubs or trees. Depending on a chosen site,
individuals may spend the night perched a few
inches to several feet above ground. Roost sites
vary with locale and season, but favorite plants,
often used night after night include both desert
hackberry and netleaf hackberry (Celtis reticulata),
mesquite, juniper, littleleaf sumac, desert thorn,
and catclaw acacia.
Overhead shrubbery that screens the birds from
the sun and shields them from birds of prey
is an important component of good Gambel’s
quail habitat. Such cover may take the form of
mesquite, acacia, salt cedar, fourwing saltbush,
or other relatively tall-structured vegetation
along a drainage. Cover may consist of scrub oak,
mimose, sumac, and other upland shrubbery 3 ft.
to less than 10 ft. tall.
Productive habitats for Gambel’s quail can
be almost any brushy southwestern locale
with thorny legumes of the genera Prosopis or
Acacia and accompanied by cacti and/or leafy
succulents (Agave, Nolina, and Yucca). Some of
the best Gambel’s quail areas include scrubinfested
grasslands, which are being invaded
by mesquite and juniper. Maintaining a diverse
and moderately dense (at least 40%) shrub
component mixed with various forbs and grasses
provides excellent habitat for Gambel’s quail.
Back to Top
Identification
This is a plump, short-tailed quail. Males have
a striking facial pattern of black, white, and
chestnut that forms a clown-like face, hence
the name Harlequin. Males have a black breast
and undersides with white or cinnamon-brown
colored spots on dark grayish flanks, and grayish
brown backs. Females have an overall cinnamon
body coloration with mottled pinkish-brown
underneath and less distinct head markings.
Males have a song described as a melancholy,
vibrant, descending, and whistled “Vwirrrrrr”.
The female’s assembly call is a descending
whistle. A distinctive feature of this species are
its long, sickle-shaped claws used for digging.
Back to Top
Breeding And Nesting
Montezuma quail pairing typically occurs from
late February to March and nesting usually
occurs from mid-June through mid-August.
Montezuma quail nest later than other species
of quail. Newly hatched young are often seen in
mid-September.
Nests are made on the ground either on slopes
or adjacent to ground structure such as a tree or
boulders. Typical nests are covered chambers
with a canopy of perennial bunchgrass but
they also occur in a shallow scrape lined with
grasses under the cover of a bush or grass tuft.
Montezuma quail form smaller winter coveys
than the other three species.
Back to Top
Home Range
Quality and quantity of habitat influences home
range size. Radio-marked birds seldom moved
more than 200 ft. in a day. Montezuma quail are
unique in that coveys are small (less than 10)
and typically range over small areas, less than
15 ac, although larger movements have been
documented. Montezuma quail that occupy
habitats of higher elevations likely move up and down in elevation in
response to varying weather conditions.
Back to Top
Habitat Requirements
Montezuma quail are found in pine-oak and oak
scrub habitats, especially in open woodlands
with a grass understory. They prefer southeast-facing
hillsides in tall grasses for night roosts and
north-facing hillsides for day use.
Montezuma quail rely heavily on oak-grassland
or pine-oak grassland savannas.
Typical Montezuma quail habitat
They rarely
occur in other habitats, except during years of
abundance. However, they do not occur in areas
without an adequate grassland component. They
are occasionally associated with other overstory
species including catclaw and mesquite. Nearly
all habitat studies involving Montezuma quail
describe optimal conditions as areas with high
grass diversity and grass cover height associated
with an overstory of oak, such as Arizona white
oak (Quercus arizonica), Emory oak, (Q. emoryi) or
pine (Pinus spp.). An overstory of trees provide
security, thermal cover, and microclimates
conducive to forb production. Rarely are
Montezuma quail found more than a few dozen
yards (yds) from trees. Tall perennial bunchgrass
species are most often used for cover and nesting.
These grasses are warm season species produced
during the summer monsoons of July-September.
Montezuma quail depend on hiding cover
for defense from predators, nest location, and
thermal protection at all stages of their life.
Back to Top
Food
Habitat selection by Montezuma quail is not
only dependent on available cover, but also on
the distribution of food plants. Montezuma quail
diet studies have determined that the tubers of
yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentes) and Gray’s
woodsorrel (Oxalis grayi) account for the majority
of their diet. Both these plants show aboveground
growth in summer, but may be invisible
in fall and spring. Oak woodlands provide the
microclimates conducive to the production of
these and other forbs. Insects and acorns are used
in summer and bulbs and tubers are most often
used in fall and winter.
As with
other gallinaceous birds, the diet of young 3 to 12
week old Montezuma quail consists of insects.
Back to Top
Management Considerations
Spatial arrangement of both grassland and
woodland cover types is very important for this
species due to its survival strategy, small home
range, dispersal distances, and food habits.
Adequate horizontal and vertical grass cover
must be well distributed across the landscape.
The percentage and distribution of suitable
habitat patches will determine the amount of
use a given pasture receives, and connectivity
between suitable patches is essential for dispersal.
Populations of Montezuma quail in undisturbed
habitat tend to fluctuate annually. Reproductive
success is associated with the amount of summer
precipitation in any given year. Any factors
reducing the amount of tall grass cover have an
adverse effect on Montezuma quail. In western
Texas, the Montezuma quail is now local and
rare because a large percentage of its native range
has disappeared due to overgrazing. Heavy
grazing reduces tall grass cover and increases
patchiness of the remaining cover. Grazing 46-
50% of an area produces marginal conditions for
Montezuma quail. Heavier grazing eliminates
these quail altogether.
Reducing oak stands for timber or grazing
improvements could reduce habitat value by
reducing the thermal cover and acorns available
for Montezuma quail and other wildlife species
in autumn and winter.
Montezuma quail select areas with higher
horizontal cover from 2-20 in. over those
provided at random locations. Montezuma quail
rely on their cryptic coloration and freezing-in-place
as their primary defense from predators.
The effectiveness of which is influenced by grass
canopy cover and height. One study suggests
predation from aerial predators can be significant.
This could account for the selection of taller,
denser grass cover.
Montezuma quail prefer an overstory canopy of
26-75% with optimal levels occurring between
26-50%. In southeastern Arizona, Montezuma
quail were most often found within 20 yds. of oak
trees, but there are many examples of this quail
existing in areas devoid of oaks. Management of
Montezuma quail includes maintenance of winter
habitat. Winter habitat includes areas where
bulbs and acorns are available.
Moderate livestock grazing, where grass cover
requirements are met, is consistent with quality
Montezuma quail habitat. However, Montezuma
quail tend to select the more lightly used patches
of a pasture. Higher densities of quail food have
been found in lightly grazed areas in comparison
to non-grazed areas. It seems reasonable that
the foods used by quail grow best where grass
competition is reduced; leading some to suggest
that light grazing benefits Montezuma quail.
Various researchers have documented less food
available in areas of very intense livestock
grazing.
Regardless of livestock impacts on Montezuma
quail food abundance, all studies conducted
on habitat stress that diverse, tall grass is an
essential critical component of optimal habitat.
When grazing reduces grass cover below that
required by Montezuma quail (8-10 inches),
food becomes unavailable due to a lack of
cover. After an area is burned, an increased
number of Montezuma quail are often observed,
presumably due to an increase in new plant
growth.
Back to Top
Recommended General Management Practices
Water
Water projects aimed at maximizing benefits to
the habitat and not a single species are the most
advantageous. Seeps, windmills with overflows,
or stock ponds should be created rather than
“guzzlers”. These provide moisture to the
surrounding soil and vegetation, promoting
green plant and insect growth rather than
concentrating the water source to a single area.
Additionally, these moist areas should be fenced
from livestock and a separate drinker installed
if grazing is to occur in the area. Escape cover
should always be available nearby. In addition,
water sources on leased land should be allowed
to flow year round rather than shutting them off
when cattle are removed.
Although quail use freestanding water, it does
not appear to be essential to their survival.
Repair and maintenance of existing watering
sites should be emphasized before implementing
new projects. If water projects are constructed,
incorporate access and escape ramps to allow for
easier use and prevent drowning of wildlife.
The use of waterspreading systems can reduce
sediment delivery by trapping sediments. This
can be highly effective in improving vegetative
cover and forage production. The topography
of the spreading are should be relatively flat,
smooth and free of gullies or channels that
would tend to concentrate water flows. Soils
should have a moderate to high water holding
capacity. The combination of soils, slopes and
plant cover should be such that spreading
floodwaters will not create erosion problems.
Sites without adequate plant cover should be
properly revegetated.
Back to Top
Fire
Fire is an important tool for habitat enhancement
projects. As the importance of fire on the
landscape becomes increasingly apparent,
managers are faced with crucial decisions
regarding timing and intensity. Quail (as well
as many wildlife species) respond favorably to a
mosaic of burns and fire intensities. Prescribed
fires of low intensity rather than burns of medium
to high intensity may generate more vegetative
production useful to wildlife in the shortest amount
of time. Fire stimulates the sprouting of Gambel’s
oak and sedges, species important in Montezuma
quail diets. In addition, prescribed fire maintain
pine-oak or pine-grasslands in an open condition,
improving habitat for Montezuma quail.
Back to Top
Off-Highway-Vehicle (OHV) Use
Off-highway-vehicle use is increasing, particularly
in desert states like Arizona. These activities
may disturb quail throughout the year. OHV use
is increasingly fragmenting and degrading quail
habitats, particularly in Gambel’s quail range,
where habitats are fragile and disturbances are
long lasting. OHV users should be provided with
"sacrifice areas" that have low value as wildlife
habitat. These areas may concentrate OHV
activities and reduce the scope of disturbance to
quail populations and other wildlife.
Back to Top
Quail Feeding
Feeding has generally been found not to be
beneficial or cost effective. However, if one
chooses supplemental feeding, the following
guidelines are offered. Feeding may be most
effective during drought. With the proper
habitat, an appropriate feeding program can
carry quail through a drought. The following
feeding program has been recommended for
ranches in Texas with good habitat structure,
proper grazing and moderate hunting:
1. If April to July rains total less than 5 inches,
feed a high energy supplement November
through January.
2. If September and November rains are less
than 5 inches, feed a high protein supplement
during February and March.
3. Feed energy supplements year round during a
prolonged and severe drought.
4. Place feeders near water sources and adequate
cover.
Back to Top
Monitoring Vegetation Treatment
There are myriads of techniques for monitoring
vegetation over time although most techniques
target localized areas. Since shrubs are a
vital component of quail habitat, monitoring
techniques should be adapted to quantify this
aspect of a rangeland. Additionally, monitoring
should occur throughout the year to measure
the availability of food sources for quail. The
U.S. Forest Service outlines several techniques
in Interagency Technical Reference: Sampling
Vegetation Attributes. Contact your nearest
agricultural extension office to determine the
proper technique for your area.
Back to Top
Monitoring Quail Populations
Techniques used to assess populations include
flush counts, brood counts, call counts of males
during the breeding season, winter covey counts,
and wing collection barrels to determine age
ratios from hunter harvest. Assuming hunter
success is a measure of quail population size,
hunter success can provide a means of tracking
populations through time.
Back to Top
Summary
It should be apparent that many options are
available when considering habitat enhancement
or restoration for quail. Each species requires
subtle, yet important differences in optimal
habitat. Whatever the target species, the concept
of “diversity” should be the ultimate goal for any
habitat project for quail. With any habitat project,
planning and widespread treatment followed
by patience is the key. High quality quail habitat
will ameliorate the affects of adverse weather
conditions moderating fluctuating populations.
Habitat conditions that maximize production and
reduce mortality will be the most beneficial in
maintaining Arizona’s quail populations.
In the end, timing and amount of precipitation is
the dynamic feature affecting quail production
in Arizona and throughout the West. We
can only enhance or restore habitat to provide
quail safe haven in the interlude between
storms. Quality habitat can maximize the effects
of moisture when it does arrive. Therefore,
landowners and managers should strive
to prepare habitat, because no matter what
technique is applied or how extensive the area
treated, we still must wait for rain.
Back to Top
Scaled Quail Requirements
Habitat Types
Scaled quail inhabit most of the state in varying densities except for higher elevations. Scaled quail are found in semi-arid rangelands and desert grasslands with mixed scrub (shrubs, grass, and bare ground.)
Interspersed bare ground also appears to be an important habitat component, since this species prefers to run, rather than fly, when disturbed.
Key Plant Species
Common vegetation includes mesquite, prickly pear cactus, and scattered grasses. Scaled quail and Gambel's quail often occur together, although scaled quail use areas with more grass cover.
They tend to avoid pure grasslands, particularly stands of introduced Lehman's lovegrass and areas that lack shrubs, grasses and forbs.
Quail numbers often are greater in areas of high plant species diversity. |
 |
Food
Seeds from forbs make up the largest portion of the scaled quail's diet. Seeds of woody plants like mesquites, acacias, and spiny hackberry are frequently consumed. Grass seeds, particularly from brislegrassess, are important as food.
The most often eaten forbs are considered "undesireable" range plants. These include small-flowered milk vetch, morning-glory, foothill deer vetch, lupine, snakeweek, and Russion thistle. Green vegetation is an important source of Vitamin A which is necessary for reproduction.
Insects are eaten seasonally by both adults and young.
Management Considerations
Scaled quail are more tolerant of grazing than other quail. However, heavy livestock use can be detrimental. In well-watered localities, moderate grazing may have a beneficial effect on quail habitat by encouraging forb and weed growth that provide a large portion of the scaled quail diet.
Grasslands without shrub cover are much less suitable for scaled quail.
Mesquite and broom snakeweed reduction projects may have an adverse effect on winter food availability for scaled quail. Reduction of saltbush cover reduces the scaled quail carrying capacity of the range.
Scaled quail populations fluctuate widely and are adversely affected by drought or by prolonged flooding.
Establishing natural cover is preferable to construction of artificial cover. However, brush, and post and board piles are inexpensive and readily used by scaled quail.
Good scaled quail habitit consists of successional stages of annual and perennial forbs and some food-producing shrubs. A patchwork of short grasses, tall grasses and forbs and woody cover is ideal.
Back to Top
Gambel's Quail Requirements
Habitat Types
Gambel's quail are residents of brushy and thorny vegetation in parts of the Chihuahuan desert, as well as adjoining natural and cultivated communities.
Favorite habitats within these ranges are river valley and drainages, especially those adjacent to cultivated fields.
The bird is particularly abundant along mesquite-lined rivers, creeks, and arroyos below an elevation of 5,800 ft.
Mesquite-choked springs, seeps, and stock tanks are also favored focal points for this quail species. |
 |
Key Plant Species
Key indicator plants include: desert blackberry, catclaw acacia, skunkbush, pricklypear cactus, chollas, scrub oak, and any of several desert thorns.
Dominant understory plants may include brittlebush, triangle-leaf bursage, bear grass, shrubby buckwheat, burroweed, jimmyweed, turpentine bush, or snakeweed.
Dominant overstory plants include: Texas honey mesquite, white-thorn acacia, one-seed juniper, allthorn, littleleaf sumac, catclaw acacia, condalia, and various yuccas, dense thickets of salt cedar, arrowweed, screwbean mesquite, saltbush, quail bush, and for wing saltbush.
Food
Gambel's quail diet consists of seeds of forbs, grasses, shrubs, trees, and cacti. Seeds from legumes are also important throughout the species range. Mesquite seeds and leaves, mustards, ragweeds, tumbleweed and a host of other seed producing shrubs and forbs eaten if available.
Fruits from shrubs and cacti (particularly prickly pear) are heavily used seasonally.
Green vegetation, especially deer vetches and filaree, are very important during winter and early spring prior to reproduction, and provide much of the species moisture requirements.
Insects are important seasonally, especially for the growing young quail.
Management Considerations
The clearing of mesquite trees is an effort to increase the productivity of western rangelands for cattle also be detrimental to Gambel's quail.
Grazing can be a useful tool for Gambel's quail management when conducted at the right intensity under the right conditions. Leaving enough unburned grass cover for refuge can greatly increase the survivability of quail.
Back to Top
Montezuma Quail Requirements
Habitat Types
Montezuma quail are found in pine-oak and oak scrub highland habitats, especially in open woodland with grass understory and do not occur in areas without an adequate grassland component.
Key Plant Species
Montezuma quail are found in areas with high grass diversity and grass cover associated with a tree overstory of oak such as Arizona white oak or Emory oak, or pine. Rarely are Montezuma quail located more than a few dozen yards from trees.
Montezuma quail are occasionally associated with other "overstory" species including catclaw and mesquite.
Perennial bunchgrass species are most often used for cover and nesting. These grasses are warm season species produced during periods of summer monsoon moisture (July-September). |
 |
Food
Montezuma quail feed extensively on the bulbs and tubers of yellow nutsedge and Gray's woodsorrel in summer.
During the summer and fall, Montezuma quail feed upon insects, acorns, pinon nuts, grass and ford seeds.
The primary diet of young Montezuma quail is insects.
Management Considerations
Spatial arrangement of both grassland and woodland cover types is very important for this species due to its survival strategy, small home range, dispersal distances, and food habits.
Adequate horizontal and vertical grass cover must be well distributed across the landscape. Montezuma quail select areas with tall (up to 20 in.) grass and forb cover.
Moderate livestock grazing, where remaining grass cover requirements are met, is associated with good Montezuma quail habitat, although these quail tend to select more lightly used patches of a pasture.
Reducing oak stands for timber or grazing improvements reduces habitat value by removing canopy cover and acorns. Overstory canopy cover should be maintained at no less than 20%.
Burning may be an important component of habitat management for Montezuma quail.
Back to Top
A Sample of Available Programs
And Information Sources
Below are a sample of the available programs
and information sources available to the public
land manager or private landowner.
Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy
(CWCS) – A proactive plan developed by the
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to
examine the health of wildlife and prescribe
actions to conserve wildlife and vital habitat
before they become more rare and more costly
to protect. http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/
department_info/documents/strategic_plan_06-
10.pdf
Conservation of Private Grazing Land Program
(CPGL) - (NRCS) - A voluntary program that
helps owners and managers of private grazing
land address natural resource concerns while
enhancing the economic and social stability
of grazing land enterprises and the rural
communities that depend on them.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - The
Conservation Reserve Program provides
technical and financial assistance to eligible
farmers and ranchers to address soil, water,
and related natural resource concerns on their
lands in an environmentally beneficial and
cost-effective manner. The program provides
assistance to farmers and ranchers in complying
with federal, state, and tribal environmental
laws, and encourages environmental
enhancement. The program is funded through
the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
CRP is administered by the Farm Service
Agency, with NRCS providing land eligibility
determinations, conservation planning, and
practice implementation.
Conservation Security Program (CSP) –
(NRCS) – A voluntary conservation program
that supports ongoing stewardship of private
agricultural lands by providing payments for
maintaining and enhancing natural resources.
Environmental Quality Improvement Program
(EQIP)- Administered by the USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service, EQIP provides
landowner incentives for quail and wildlife
management.
Habitat Stamp Program – Administered by the
New Mexico Department of Game and fish, a
joint venture between sportsmen and agencies
that manage wildlife and their habitat. Each
year, licensed hunters, anglers, and trappers, on
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or US Forest
Service (USFS) lands, are required to purchase
the stamp or validation from the New Mexico
Department of Game and Fish. The federal
Sikes Act authorizes the program. Each year,
sportsmen purchase about $1 million worth of
Stamps.
Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) -
Facilitates the long-term conservation of key
avian habitat including planning, funding,
and developing habitat projects that benefit
all biological components of Intermountain
ecosystems. The IWJV promotes the restoration
and maintenance of all bird populations; fosters
the protection, restoration, and enhancement
of wetlands, riparian habitats, and the widely
diverse uplands characteristic of the region.
http://www.iwjv.org/about.htm
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Wildlife Habitat Handbook - Provided in an
effort to encourage incorporation of conservation
practices in the earliest possible stages of project
development. It contains conservation measures,
with respect to specific land use practices,
targeted toward minimizing impacts of projects
on wildlife and wildlife habitats. (http://www.
wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/habitat_
handbook/index.htm)
New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural
Resources Department - http://www.emnrd.
state.nm.us/main/index.htm
New Mexico Plant Materials Center (NRCS)
- The New Mexico Plant Materials Center is
located in Los Lunas, New Mexico and develops,
tests, and transfers native plants that can help
solve conservation problems.
New Mexico State Land Office – http://www.
nmstatelands.org/Default.aspx
Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) - Facilitates
the long-term conservation of key avian habitat
including planning, funding, and developing
habitat projects that benefit all biological
components of playa lakes and shortgrass prairie
ecosystems. The PLJV promotes the restoration
and maintenance of all bird populations; fosters
the protection, restoration, and enhancement
of wetlands, riparian habitats, and the widely
diverse uplands characteristic of the region.
- http://www.pljv.org
Quail Forever - Quail Forever is dedicated to the
protection and enhancement of quail, pheasant
and other upland wildlife through habitat
improvement, public awareness, education and
advocacy for sound land management policy. -
http://www.quailforever.org/page/home.jsp
Quail Unlimited - Quail Unlimited® founded
in 1981 to address the problem of dwindling
quail populations and declining wildlife habitat.
improvement, public awareness, education and
organization dedicated to the wise management
of America’s wild quail. Known as “America’s
Leader In Quail Conservation,” their overall
vision is to restore America’s quail populations
for future generations. – http://www.qu.org/.
Rangeland Ecological Services Program (RESP)
- NM State Land Office - designed to promote
natural resource conservation through sound
stewardship of state trust lands. In partnership
with its agricultural lessees, the State Land Office
encourages range management activity that
benefits both native species and livestock.
Resource Conservation and Development
Program (RC&D)- The RC&D program was
authorized by Congress with the passage of
the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962. The act
expanded opportunities for state and local units
of government, local nonprofit organizations,
tribes, conservation districts, and individuals
to improve their communities through this
program of the US Department of Agriculture.
Team Quail - Texas Cooperative Extension -
http://teamquail.tamu.edu/ - A resource rich
website founded by Dale Rollins of the Texas
Cooperative Extension.
Upland Habitat Buffers Program (CP33) –
Administered by the USDA Farm Services
Agency, allows up to 20,000 ac (8094 ha) of
crop field edges to either be planted in native
vegetation or allowed to regenerate naturally.
USDA Forest Service - http://www.fs.fed.us/
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service -
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) –
(NRCS) - The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program
offers opportunities to landowners to improve
and protect wildlife habitat on private and
Tribal lands. Persons interested in entering into
a cost-share agreement with the US Department
of Agriculture to develop wildlife habitat may
file an application at any time. Participants
voluntarily limit future use of the land for a
period of time, but retain private ownership. In
addition, NRCS works with the participant to
develop a wildlife habitat development plan.
Back to Top
|
 |
Form Object |
 |
 |
2011-2012 Arizona Quail Season
Gambel's & Scaled Quail:
September 30 - February 5
Mearns' Quail:
November 25 - February 5
|
|
 |
|
