Montezuma Quail

Cyrtonyx montezumae (Vigors, 1830)

Montezuma Quail, Cyrtonyx montezumae, breeds in south-western North America and Middle America, from the south-west United States through Mexico. It is a New World quail of open woodland, especially oak, pine-oak and juniper country with tall grass on hillsides and in canyons. Its most notable feature is the male’s bold black-and-white facial pattern, while the species also has long, curved claws used for digging. It is a compact, secretive bird with a short tail, and it is known for staying close to cover.

Order

Galliformes

Family

Odontophoridae — New World Quail

Breeding range

North America, Middle America: sw US, Mexico