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Callipepla californica
The California Quail is a highly sociable bird that often gathers in small flocks known as "coveys". One of their daily communal activities is a dust bath. A group of quail will select an area where the ground has been newly turned or is soft, and using their underbellies, will burrow downward into the soil some one to two inches. They then wriggle about in the indentations they have created, flapping their wings and ruffling their feathers, causing dust to rise in the air. They seem to prefer sunny places in which to create these dust baths. An ornithologist is able to detect the presence of quail in an area by spotting the circular indentations left behind in the soft dirt, some 7–15 cm (3–6 inches) in diameter.
Spotted on Oct 30, 2013
Submitted on Oct 30, 2013
23 Comments
Desmond,was breeding plumage.
These are sooo cute..... babies are adorable. Thanks Des.
Wow! I like these pictures because they show the golden breast sooo distinctly! nice job!
Quail eggs talk to each other!!
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Beautiful bird!
Extraordinaly looking bird :)
Thnx for all the likes and comments.
Beauty !
Marta,these birds have a curving crest or plume, made of six feathers, that droops forward: black in males and brown for females
ceherzog,since they like to stay at the edge of urban developments there is a threat to there survival.
Currently they are listed as LC.
On Mt Diablo ,and vicinity ,these are living very happily and really are a delite!
Are they fairly common out there Jemma? I sure hope to see one someday!
thnx Godin, Robby and Alice,
Superb close-ups!
thank you so much, Tom!
Beautiful bird and very nice pictures!
beatiful quail . nice
Nice bird. Beautiful.
Me too! :-)
Thank you,Martha. Very Sociable. i like the little plume on the head. :))
I love these quails..they are really cute!
thanks, Mark. :))
What a handsome bird.
presenting with great pride, The State Bird Of California. :)