Common quail
The common quail is a small, migratory gamebird belonging to the family Phasianidae, found across Europe, Central Asia, China, and Northern Africa. These birds measure about 6 to 7 inches in length and weigh between 2.5 to 5 ounces. Characterized by a distinct call resembling "wet-my-lips," male quails display vibrant rust-colored plumage, while females have more subdued coloring with different markings. Common quails inhabit fields and areas of tall grass, where they forage for insects and seeds, adapting their diet according to the season.
During migration, which can span thousands of miles, males lead the way in spring to establish territories, followed by females who select mating sites. Nests are built in shallow hollows, and females lay up to 13 eggs, which they incubate alone. The young quail are capable of flying shortly after hatching and reach maturity within a year. Although these birds utilize camouflage and vocalizations to evade predators, they face threats from hunting, habitat loss, and natural predators. In the wild, common quails generally live 2 to 5 years, but can survive up to 11 years in captivity.
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Common quail
The common quail is a small, migratory gamebird native to Europe, Central Asia, China, and Northern Africa. Some migrate thousands of miles (kilometers) each year. The male quails' call is distinct and may sound like the words "wet-my-lips."
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Genus: Coturnix
Species: Coturnix
Common quails have small, round, plump bodies and small heads. They are only 6 to 7 inches (16 to 18 centimeters) long and weigh 2 1/2 to 5 ounces (70 to 140 grams). Though they are small birds with short wingspans of 12 1/2 to 13 3/4 inches (33 to 35 centimeters), the quails are capable of migrating thousands of miles (kilometers) each year. Males have rust-colored plumage, or feathering, on their backs and wings which is marked with white and black bars. Their chests and undersides are lighter and marked with white. Black and white markings cover their throats. Females have duller plumage and do not have markings on their throats and necks but do have black markings on their breasts.
Fields with crops or which are dry with tall grass are popular nesting sites for flocks of common quails. In these field habitats throughout the spring, the quails forage for grasshoppers, ants, earwigs, and beetles. These foods strengthen the birds after they migrate to breeding grounds in Europe and northern Asia. Autumn's arrival causes a shift in their diets so that the birds eat mainly seeds, particularly those of alfalfa, oilseeds, and wheat. These foods are good for fattening the birds before they begin their migration to warmer climates in India and Africa. Quails that live much of the year in Asia or northern, eastern, and southern Africa do not migrate long distances.
Males migrate first in the spring to claim their territories in flat or very-gently-hilled countryside. Such breeding ranges are usually below 3,200 feet (960 meters) in elevation, but some birds have nested at higher elevations in the Himalayan Mountains. The females arrive shortly afterward and choose mating sites within the territories. Their nests are shallow hollows scraped into the ground amid thick, tall grass and vegetation. The male and female court each other with cooing sounds and other calls, and they may sing together. The male puffs up his plumage and walks in circles around his mate. The pair stays together throughout the entire breeding season, which varies depending on where they live.
The female lays one egg each day, up to 8 or 13 off-white eggs with dark spots. She incubates them by herself for 17 to 20 days. After 19 days, the young fly for the first time, and after another 11 to 31 days, they are strong enough to migrate. They are of mating age one year after hatching.
Predators like small mammals and large birds threaten common quails in the wild. Humans also hunt quail for their meat and eggs. Their plumage helps camouflage them in tall grass and weeds, but predators may still hear the characteristic call of the males. It is said that this three-note call sounds like the words "wet my lips." Another threat is habitat loss. The average lifespan of common quail in the wild is between 2 and 5 years, but in captivity, they may live 11 years.
Bibliography
Pappas, Janice. "Coturnix Coturnix." Animal Diversity Web, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Coturnix‗coturnix. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
"Quail." A-Z Animals, 6 Apr. 2023, a-z-animals.com/animals/quail. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.