Food habits: Most of their diet consists of plants, which includes seeds, grasses and leaves that are eaten throughout the year. https://identify.whatbird.com/obj/918/behavior/Gambels_Quail.aspx Thus, its tendencies, habits and life cycle are not as familiar to us as those birds who nest and raise their young in our backyards. Males and females both sport a bobbing black topknot of feathers. Like most other quails, the Gambel’s quails are plump, volleyball-sized birds. Read some more information about this quail breed below. The typical nest is a shallow, bowl-shaped scrape, lined with grass, leaves and feathers. Similar to other Texas quail, Gambel’s prefer to run and hide when flushed, rather than fly. Because they live in the harsher desert regions, Gambel’s breeding patterns are impacted by the amount of green vegetation available to eat. Coveys of Gambel's are more apt to run than fly! Gambel’s Quail are gregarious birds of the desert Southwest, where coveys gather along brushy washes and cactus-studded arroyos to feed. Quail feed in coveys as they travel slowly on the ground. The quail is a very interesting bird. On extremely rarely occasions, females leave the chicks and male to move away to a new mate. Nesting and Incubation. Gambel’s Quail Characteristics. I have a Gambel Quail nest in my backyard (inside the paddle cactus). Females select nest sites, which are almost always located on the ground and usually concealed or protected by foliage. It is not one of the most common that we see everyday on our front lawns or perched on the telephone wire. The male’s prominent black belly patch distinguishes it from the similar California Quail. Total populations appear to have been fairly stable between 1966 and 2014 (possibly with a small decline, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey). As a matter of fact, I … Insects are a source of protein and are eaten during the nesting season (spring through early summer) and by chicks that need the protein for their development. “All of the Gambel’s quail areas received average to above average winter rainfall for the first time in many years,” said O’Dell. Gambel Quail Nest by: Anonymous Hi. Gambel’s quail mating behavior is a monogamous nature, thus, they have only one brood of eggs during a breeding season. Pair formation begins in March. The Mom is not incubating her eggs, though. Located in dry regions of the southwestern United States, Gambel's quail thrive in the dry-arid regions that contain an abundance of desert shrubs. I first noticed 5 eggs 3 days ago and as of yesterday afternoon, there are now 12 eggs. The Gambel’s quail nesting site is just a patch on the ground, which is concealed by vegetation or rocks. Although a common quail of the desert Southwest, the Gambel’s requires a lot of water. 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