California
Quail, Callipepla californica
Diet
of the California Quail
The California Quail eat mainly seeds which they peck and scratch from the ground like chickens. They like legume (Pea family) seeds. Some of their favorite legumes to eat are lupines including Sky lupine, Lupinus nanus and other Lupine species. They consumes many other seeds as well. They like Sages, Salvia spp especially Salvia 'Pozo Blue'. The sages provide good cover for the quail to hidein tool. Also Elderberry, Sambucus mexicana and Salt Bush, Atriplex spp. (yuk!).
This
bird also can be seen picking at vegetation, arthropods, and
fruits which are near or on the ground. They will hop up to pluck
food from shrubs. They also eat arthropods especially young
quail, probably needing the high protein and fat for growth.
Nesting habitat of the California Quail
The California Quail nests on the ground or under bushes. Feral and house Cats are devastating to quail populations. Young birds are able to fly 10 days after hatching. The picture on the right was taken in the demonstration garden about 10 ft from the front porch of our house.
Habitat/ Plant community
California Quail need bushes and trees for cover and roosting. In the nursery, their favorite roosting spot is in the willows along the seasonal creak.
Plant
community links:
Range of the California quail
The California Quail is not found in the desert or high elevations of the Sierras.
How
to attract the California quail to your garden
The California Quail feeds on the ground near the cover of brush. They like areas of bare dirt for dust baths. They flap around in the dust to remove parasites. They like open areas to feed where they can see predators.
They do not like grass as it obscures their view. A male usually perches on a nearby shrub as the rest of the covey feeds. He signals danger to the others. They like to eat Lupine seeds. Cats are very destructive to Quail. As Quail nest on the ground, they are especially vulnerable to cats.
Our
quail are bigger than your quail.
Learn more about California's flora from our front page.
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