Gambel’s Quail

Callipepla gambelii

Illustration by Kent Pendleton

Map

Audio

Although a common quail of the desert Southwest, the Gambel’s requires a lot of water. Generally sedentary, it moves short distances in the late summer to form coveys, usually comprising several family groups. It hybridizes with both California and scaled quails where their ranges overlap. Polytypic (2 ssp.; nominate in North America). Length 10" (25 cm).

Identification Plump, short-tailed quail with gray plumage; prominent teardrop-shaped head plume or double plume in both sexes. Adult male: chestnut crown with black forehead and black throat; chestnut sides with whitish underparts with a black belly; gray upperparts. Adult female: similar to adult male but muted and lacking distinctive facial pattern. Head plume smaller. Juvenile: grayish brown overall and heavily mottled. Usually has a short head plume.

Similar Species The California is similar in structure and size, but the chestnut crown and sides and lack of scaling on the Gambel’s easily separate them.

Voice Call: a plaintive qua-el; and a loud chi-ca-go-go similar to the California’s, but higher pitched and usually 4 notes, sometimes shortened on only 1 or 2 syllables. Also a variety of clucking and chattering calls.

Status and Distribution Common year-round in desert shrublands and thickets, usually near permanent water sources. Introduced to Hawaii, Idaho, and San Clemente Island, California.

Population The numbers appear to be stable over the past 60 years. The Gambel’s seems to be more tolerant of habitat disturbances than other Callipepla.

—From the National Geographic book Complete Birds of North America, 2006

More Ground Birds

Bird Features

Backyard Birding Central

Want to learn more about our feathered friends of the sky? Visit our Backyard Birding site for facts, photos, videos, and more.
What's That Bird?

Identify your backyard visitors in a flash! Just answer four simple questions to search our database of 150 backyard birds common to Canada and the U.S.

See More Bird Features »

Photo Galleries

See More Bird Photos »

Bird News

Why Are Birds Falling From the Sky?

Seemingly freak bird die-offs in Arkansas and elsewhere are making headlines. But is it just hype? And what causes airborne die-offs?
Photos: Bizarre Arkansas Bird Die-Off

Birds were falling from the sky and fish were found floating dead en masse in two recent but unrelated Arkansas die-offs, experts say.

See More Animal News »

Games & More

See More Animal Games »

Birds A-Z

Animal News

Bird Books

National Geographic Magazine

Bowerbirds Gallery

To woo a "Mary," bowerbirds decorate with shells, cans, even pink paper clips.
Counting Cranes Gallery

How many whooping cranes are there? Not enough. See photos of these birds in action.

Newsletters

Explorer Moment: Ray of Hope

Biologist Andrea Marshall leads her team in discovering new and conserving known manta ray species.
Explorer Moment: Naming Baby Parrots

While studying green-rumped parrotlets, Karl Berg discovered the adults appear to "name" their young.

From the Magazine

Gannets Pictures

Champion divers but clumsy landers, doting parents but hostile neighbors—northern gannets abound in contradictions.
Estonia's Ural Owls

Photographer Sven Začek provides an intimate view of this large raptor.