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:
Coastal
sage scrub
Chaparral
Central
oak woodland
Northern
Oak woodland
Southern
oak Woodland
Shadscale
scrub
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.
We
have our own little chickens. Blue jays, hawks, cats and many other
animals like to eat them. But one day I watched a chipmunk, Towhee and
rabbit interface with a mom and dad quail and their walnuts. Chipmunk
kept trying to play with them. Something smaller than him? Rabbit and
towhee seemed to be using parents as protectors.
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