Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Callipepla californica: California Quail


The California Quail is pretty common around these parts, especially in the spring and early summer. Occasionally I'll see these guys on a wire or a roof top, but mostly not. Usually, they're running on the ground. (On yesterday's morning walk there was a group of them foraging in a yard around the corner.)

Their topknots, I just learned, are formed from six interlocking feathers. Who knew?