Anoles, Quails, and Maybe Cattails
Species Of Quail
From the slate blues and brick reds of Mountain Quail to the buffs, umbers and browns to Northern Bobwhite and the striking patterns of the Rain Quail, quail come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Some, but not all, species of quail have unique head plumage, known as topknots, that are typically larger in males. All species of quail are beautiful, diverse, and fascinating, but sadly, many species are declining greatly, and some are even extinct.
Key
- Least Concern:
- Near Threatened:
- Vulnerable:
- Endangered:
- Critically Endangered:
- Extinct in The Wild:
- Extinct:
Here are some flashcards with quail species.
New World Quail
These are quail that are naturally found in the Americas. Many of these quail have topknots and beautiful plumage. Like most quail, many quail found in the western states are sexually diamorphic (meaning that males and females have different plumage). Native game birds, including the beautiful and diverse species of New World Quail, are disappearing from the United States at a rapid rate. Although the disappearance of native birds, including quail, is not fully understood, many experts can agree that decline in natural habitat due to human activity is the biggest factor.
Genus Callipepla
California Quail, Callipepla californica
The California Quail is a beautiful bird, and is the species many Americans think of when they think of quail. As its name suggests, the California Quail is Found throughout the Western States, and is California's state bird.
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Genus Cyronyx
Montezuma Quail, Cyronix Montezumae
Ocellated Quail, Cyronix
Genus Colinus
Northern Bobwhite, Colinus virginianus
The Northern Bobwhite is declining in the Americas. The bird was recently named the No.1 bird in decline in North America by the Audubon Society and has declined every year since 1981. This is a serious problem. Bobwhite quail, in addition to being beautiful and fascinating birds, are an important part of a healthy and biodiverse ecology.
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Crested Bobwhite, Colinus cristatus
The Crested Bobwhite is a magnificent bird. According to ebird.org, the crested bobwhite is a "[small] quail of dry habitats in interior valleys and on the Pacific slope. Favors brushy fields, thorn scrub with grassy areas and open pine woods. Often seen along quiet roadsides early and late in the day. Usually in small groups, which flush explosively with a loud whirring of wings. Males in Guatemala and El Salvador have white face and throat. Males in Honduras and Nicaragua have bold whitish face stripes and dark throat. All females have buff eyebrow and throat. Loud whistled bob-WHITE! call much like Northern Bobwhite. In some areas, occurs alongside Ocellated Quail. Northern populations often treated as distinct species, Spot-bellied Bobwhite."
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Spot-throated Bobwhite, Colinus
Genus Oreotyx
Mountain Quail
Genus Rhynchortyx
Tawny-faced Quail
Old World Quail
These are quail found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia (although Australia is sometimes counted as neither New World or Old World)
Genus Couternix
Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix
Japanese Quail, Coturnix japonica
Rain Quail, Coturnix coromandelica
Stubble Quail, Coturnix pectoralis
Harlequin Quail, Coturnix delegorguei
Genus Synoicus
King Quail
Also known as Button Quail.
Blue Quail
Snow Mountain Quail
Brown Quail
Extinct Quail
These are quail that are either extinct, or haven't been seen for a long time.
Himalayan Quail
Canary Islands Quail
New Zealand Quail