Quail Hunting Info >> Quail Hunts

Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds in the pheasant family Phasianidae, or in the family Odontophoridae. The quails are small, plump terrestrial birds. They are seed eaters, but will also take insects and similar small prey. They nest on the ground. They are capable of short, rapid bursts of flight. Some species, including the Japanese and Common Quail, are migratory and fly for long distances. Some quail are farmed in large numbers. These include Japanese quail, also commonly known as coturnix quail, which are mostly kept to produce eggs that are sold worldwide. In the world there are about 30 species, but in North America, 6 species. They are social birds with rounded bodies, short tails and small heads. Males are more brightly patterned than females. They usually inhabit open meadows with brushy borders.

Male birds of northern populations have a reddish brown plumage and white, with black bars on the belly. Their throats and lines over the eyes are white; a large black line goes from the eye back and around the gorge. This particular white part is replaced by beige in the otherwise similar female birds. In the wintertime, quails can be found in flocks. A flock of quails is generally referred to as a covey. If they get frightened quails favor running from danger; when they are flushed they fly quickly, suddenly with a piercing whirring sound, but rapidly drop to earth.

The females lay between 12 and 20 eggs, but typically 14 to 16, that are incubated by both of the parents for up to 24 days. Monogamous creatures, after the reproduction season is over, quails get together in coveys, scattering during the day to feed and reassemble at nightfall or in unfavorable weather. Members of the covey look for warmth and safety by grouping in a circle, having their heads twisted outward.