California Quail

Callipepla californica (Shaw, 1798)

Odontophoridae — New World Quail

California Quail, Callipepla californica, is a bird of North America and Middle America, breeding from south-west Canada to Baja California. It belongs to the New World quail family and was described by Shaw in 1798. A ground-living species, it is known for its curved crest, with the male’s topknot longer than the female’s. Adult males have grey and brown plumage with a black face marked by white stripes, while females are plainer brown and lack those facial markings.

Order: Galliformes
Family: Odontophoridae — New World Quail
Breeding range: North America, Middle America: sw Canada to Baja California