Scaled Quail - Quail Hunting - Upland Hunting
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Description
Scaled quail has a small head a short crest that's distinctive. These birds have a plump body, short tails, and legs. Adult scaled quails are pale brownish with dark scaling on their underpants. Their head is plain brown with the crest having a buffy accent, a bluish-gray back with brown wings that are stippled with buff. On the other hand, juveniles are similar to adults although they have a shorter crest and their upper wing has an ornate pattern. These game birds have a length of 25 – 35 cm, weighs 177-191 g and has a wingspan of 38 cm.
Habitat
These birds thrive in grasslands, arid country and vegetated scrublands with sparsely growing plants like juniper, skunkbush, sand sage, cholla, and pinyon. Their prime habitat is rolling hills or open country that support the growth of annual weeds and grasses to provide cover and shade.
Diet
Scaled quails feed on seeds and insects most of the time. These birds eat seeds of both annual and perennial weeds like broomweed, snakeweed, mesquite, and Russian thistle. Green leaves and berries also comprise the diet. These quails forage is small groups known as coveys. In coveys, they walk slowly nipping vegetation, pecking at insects and seeds.
Nesting
During the breeding season, the males that have not mated perch on top of posts, rocks, and shrubs and give a single noted call to attract females and defend his territory. The nest site is on the ground well hidden under cactus, shrubs, tumbleweed or any other cover. The shallow depression is lined with leaves and grass. To further protect the nest, females use tufts of standing grass to cover it.
Eggs
The average number of eggs is 12 although they can range between 5 and 16. The eggs are whitish with light brown speckles. Incubation is mainly done by females for 22-23 days. After hatching, the young leave the nest and they are tended by both parents. As the female and young feed on the ground, the male perch on a post or higher ground to stay on guard.
The coveys of scaled quail prefer traveling on foot. Even if they are disturbed, these birds prefer running instead of flying because they have short, strong legs. At night, coveys can be heard roosting on the ground while hiding in dense low growth.
