Mountain Quail

This species is the only one in the genus Oreortyx, which is sometimes included in Callipepla. This is not appropriate, however, as the Mountain Quail's ancestors have diverged from other New World quails earlier than the bobwhites, no later than 6 mya.

The Mountain Quail is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Mountain Quail, Oreortyx pictus', is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family. It inhabits mountainous chapparal west of the Rocky Mountains, from the United States to Baja peninsula Mexico. They have been introduced to British Columbia in Canada, and some areas of Washington state in the USA. They can be found up to 10,000 ft. This species is the only one in the genus Oreortyx, which is sometimes included in Callipepla. More

Mountain Quail are resident in the mountains of far western North America including the Cascades, Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, Transverse, and Peninsular Ranges. Desert populations occur in the White, Inyo, Panamint, Grapevine, Coso, and Argus mountains of eastern California. In Nevada, populations occur in the Toiyabe, Desatoya, Jackson and Santa Rosa ranges and there are disjunct populations in northeast Oregon, southeast Washington and southwest Idaho. The northernmost population is on Vancouver Island, Canada where this species was introduced. More

Mountain Quail can be a challenging but rewarding quail species to raise. Before raising Mountain Quail, I bred California Valley, Gambel’s, and Blue Scaled for several years. Working with them provided valuable lessons and insight that has been helpful with the propagation of Mountain Quail. Although many people like to breed Mountain Quail in colonies, I keep my quail beeders in pairs. This way I can have many different bloodlines in a minimum amount of space. More

The Mountain Quail ( Oreortyx pictus ) is more often heard than seen and prefers areas of dense cover in the wooded mountains and foothills of the United States west coast. The mountain quail populations have been declining over the last 50 years although the bird’s secretive nature makes it rather difficult to accurately census. The mountain quail is one of the largest birds of the quail family with a long and straight head plume. More

More often heard than seen, Mountain Quail prefer areas of dense cover in the wooded foothills and mountains along the West Coast of the United States. These birds are unique among members of their family in undertaking seasonal migrations up and down the slopes of mountains. Although Mountain Quail's secretive nature makes it difficult to accurately census, it has clearly experienced a great decline in the past 50 years in parts of its range. More

Mountain Quail Range MapView dynamic map of eBird sightings Field MarksHelp - * MalePopOutZoom In Male * © Brian E. Small, June 2000 Similar Species - * California Quail has curved, not straight topknot, a black face in the male, and a pale lower chest. More

Mountain Quail (10608 bytes)The Mountain Quail - (Oreortyx pictus) The following information is taken in part from an excellent book on game birds titled, 'Upland Game Birds - Their Breeding and Care'. Order your copy today! Probably one of the most striking of all the members of the quail family is the Mountain Quail. It is by far the largest and has some of the most desirable characteristics of any quail kept in captivity. More

The Mountain Quail has a large range, estimated globally at 350,000 square kilometers. Native to Canada, the United States, and Mexico, this bird prefers forest and shrubland ecosystems, though it has been known to live in areas of arable land as well. The global population of this bird is estimated at 160,000 individuals and does not show signs of decline that would necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. For this reason, the current evaluation status of the Mountain Quail is Least Concern. More

tail, the Mountain Quail is grayish brown in color with bold white bars on its side, rufous under-tail coverts, and a brown throat patch bordered with white. Males and females appear similar, and both have a long, straight feather plume rising from atop their heads. back to top Habitat - Mountain Quail are found in dense cover with scattered open areas on slopes in foothills and mountains. More

Smoky Mountain Quail Forever: Our Chapter has some serious quail conservationists members, according to the chapter’s president, Greg McDaniel, we are always looking for new members who are serious about bringing back the wild quail populations and supporting the chapters, wildlife habitat projects. For information about becoming a member of the Smoky Mountain Quail Forever Chapter, click on the membership link above. More

Description: The largest North American quail, the Mountain Quail is distinguished from the other western plumed species in both sexes having straight, narrow crests. The crests are black and consist of only two feathers, the female's crest is usually shorter and more brownish than the males (she also more brown on the back of the neck, compared to bluish-gray in the males), otherwise the sexes are similar. Status in Wild: Wild populations of Mountain Quail are stable and are popular with hunters in the west. More

Mountain quail potentially occurs in these Oregon counties: Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler, Yamhill (Map may reflect historical as well as recent sightings) - The mountain quail was petitioned for listing in 2000. A 90-day finding, in 2003, concluded that a listing was not warranted. More

The Mountain Quail, Oreortyx pictus, is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family. This species is the only one in the genus Oreortyx, which is sometimes included in Callipepla. This is not appropriate, however, as the Mountain Quail's ancestors have diverged from other New World quails earlier than the bobwhites, no later than 6 mya (Zink & Blackwell, 1998). Mountain Quail primarily move about by walking, and can move surprisingly fast through brush and undergrowth. More

The Mountain Quail is a secretive bird inhabiting dense shrub and forest habitats of the Pacific Coast and western Great Basin of North America. The largest quail north of Mexico, its elegant plumage and mysterious nature captured the interest and imagination of the early naturalists of the American West. Despite its occupation of almost every major mountain range along the U.S. More

Mountain quail - Dictionary Definition and Overview = Mountain quail : (noun) 1: California partridge; slightly larger than the California quail Based on WordNet 2.0 - Mountain \Moun"tain\, a. 1. Of or pertaining to a mountain or mountains; growing or living on a mountain; found on or peculiar to mountains; among mountains; as, a mountain torrent; mountain pines; mountain goats; mountain air; mountain howitzer. 2. More

The mountain quail can be found year-round in the mountain areas of U.S. west coast, the Sierra Nevada, Coast Ranges and Cascade. Mountain quail populations have greatly reduced in the eastern part of Washington, eastern Oregon and the state of Nevada during the last half of the 20th century and in Idaho,where once there was a large number of these birds, the mountain quail is nearly extinct. More

there are also a lot more Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus) in the upper canyons. Gambel's Quail (Lophortyx gambelii) is a related species that resembles the Valley or California Quail (Lophortyx californicus) , which is our official State Bird. Both have a distinctive teardrop shaped head plume, but the Desert Quail has a bit more chestnut, while the California Quail has a more grayish brown color on the crown and flanks. Both feed on leaves, twigs, shoots, buds, seeds, grain and wild fruit. More

While Mountain Quail have been detected at Quail Ridge in the winter and spring, the full extent of their occupancy is unknown. Their range in California is restricted to mid- to high-elevation mountains throughout the state with some altitudinal migration down-slope in winter. In coastal chaparral mountains and the foothills of the Sierra, Mountain and California quail are sympatric. More

Mountain Quail The largest quail found in North America is the Mountain Quail. In nature, it inhabits varied habitat of forest and scrub oak from Baja, Mexico, north to Washington State. It is hunted in several states including Washington, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Idaho, Colorado, and California. I have also had the pleasure of seeing them here in B.C. where they have also been introduced. The males and females of this species are similar in size and plumage. More

Mountain Quail Population Edgefield, SC (September 24, 2008)—Idaho researchers are helping to try to re-establish a mountain quail population in southern Idaho “that is clinging by its toenails” to survive. Mountain Quail once thrived in Idaho, but are now nearly extinct in the Gem State. There is a small population reported in the Riggins area as well as sporadic reports of a few sightings of the bird in other parts of the state. More

the most breathtaking, but the mountain quail has to rank atop the list. His slate blue breast and head, and maroon with ivory highlights - coupled with a distinctive 4" plume - set him apart from other quail. A mature male will measure 11" in length, making him North America's largest quail species. The habitat of the mountain quail is what you'd expect: rugged. They prefer hanging out along the Coast Range and western slopes of the Cascades anywhere from 500 - 10,000 feet. More

Mountain quail once thrived in Idaho, but are now nearly extinct in the Gem State. There is a small population reported in the Riggins area, as well as sporadic reports of a few sightings of the bird in other parts of the state. More

The Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus) is probably one of the most striking of all the members of the quail family. Its natural range is from Baja California up through California and Oregon into Washington. It is by far the largest quail and has some of the most desirable characteristics of any quail kept in captivity. The adults measure between 10½”-11½” long. More

Mountain Quail - The largest quail species found in the United States, mountain quail possess a unique characteristic of two straight feathers that arch over the back. Their fall range is consistent with that of the California quail. They will also migrate into the mountains in the spring to nest and return to lower levels in the fall. Mountain quail prefer habitat in brushy clearings or forested areas. More

Site featuring quail for sale, including Mountain Quail, Button Quail, Gambel Quail, Valley Quail, Blue Scale Quail, Bobwhite Quail. Gamebird links and free bird adsquail, gamebirds, birds, bobwhite, mountain, gambel, valley, breeders, free ads, links, egg cartons, button, blue scale Quail Blue Scale Quail The male and females are similar in appearance. Sexing can be accomplished when they reach 5 to 6 months old by comparing their throats. More

mountain quail have a distinct appearance from common California quail with their backward, question mark-like plumes. They also have a call that is distinct from their California cousins. But when the birds flush, they appear nearly identical. Because of that, both departments say bird hunters should take care to identify their targets before shooting next fall. California quail are open to hunting but the season on mountain quail has been closed for more than 20 years in both states. More