Arizona’s diverse landscape, spanning from low deserts to high-elevation mountain woodlands, provides habitats for several species of ground-dwelling birds known as quail. These birds spend most of their lives foraging on the ground, relying on quick bursts of flight for escape. The state is home to three distinct species, each adapted to a specific terrain and climate.
Gambel’s Quail: The Desert Icon
The Gambel’s Quail is the most widely distributed and recognized quail species across the lower elevations of Arizona, thriving in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts. They are easily identified by the prominent teardrop-shaped, black head plume that curves forward over their forehead. Males possess a distinctive black face patch and throat, a rusty-colored crown, and flanks marked with chestnut feathers streaked with white.
This species is often found in arid foothills, desert scrublands, and near washes where brushy cover is abundant, and they frequently appear in suburban areas. Their presence is often announced by a loud, four-note call commonly described as a “chi-ca-go-go” or “ka-KAA-ka”. Gambel’s Quail form large groups, or coveys, during the non-breeding season, relying on their numbers for collective vigilance against predators.
Scaled Quail: The Blue Runner
The Scaled Quail, sometimes called “blue quail” or “cottontop,” is distinguishable by its overall bluish-gray plumage and a white, fluffy crest on its head. The bird gets its name from the intricate pattern on its chest and back, where dark feather edges create an appearance similar to overlapping scales. Males and females have very similar coloring, though the female’s crest is less prominent.
This species prefers the open, arid grasslands, plains, and scrublands of southeastern Arizona, a much higher elevation and drier habitat than the Gambel’s Quail. When disturbed, the Scaled Quail exhibits a strong preference for running away rather than flying, often reaching surprising speeds across open ground.
Mearns’ Quail: The Elusive Species
The Mearns’ Quail, also known as the Montezuma Quail, is the most difficult of the three species to observe due to its preference for dense cover and its evasive behavior. This species displays sexual dimorphism, with the male having a boldly patterned black and white face that resembles a harlequin mask. The male’s sides are dark gray with numerous small white spots, and its crown is a cinnamon color.
The female is a mottled brown and buff color, providing excellent camouflage against the leaf litter and grass. This quail is restricted to the higher-elevation oak woodlands and pine-juniper forests of the state’s southeastern mountains, typically above 4,000 feet. When a predator approaches, the Mearns’ Quail will often freeze in place, relying on its camouflage until the last moment, before exploding vertically into the air when surprised.