Mountain Quail

Oreortyx pictus

The mountain quail, Oreortyx pictus, is a western North American quail of brushy slopes, chaparral, oak woodland, and montane forest edges. It is larger than many familiar quail and is easily recognized by two long, straight head plumes, a chestnut face and throat, gray body, and bold white barring along the flanks. Wild coveys spend much of their time walking through cover, scratching for seeds, bulbs, leaves, and insects.

Aviculture with mountain quail is more specialized than keeping common Coturnix quail. They need secure pens with dense cover, quiet handling, clean ground, and room to move without constant flushing injuries. Local permits may apply, especially where native game birds are regulated. Habitat work in the wild can involve brush retention, water access, fire recovery, and protection of nesting cover, because these birds depend on a patchwork of escape cover and open feeding areas.