New World Quail

California Quail - Okanagan Falls, BC Being our only native quail species here in British Columbia these birds are relatively easy to identify. The male was more that helpful in making the ID with a proud stance a top a fence. There were several others in the quail covey with the female watching over at least 10 youngsters. They were a little harder to see as they stayed pretty much in the shadows of the sage brush. This was taken in the hills above Okanagan Falls, just outside of an old forestry compound. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
California Quail - Okanagan Falls, BC
California Quail - Vaseux Cliffs, BC Vaseux Cliffs are a long way from California, but yet here they are. These little game birds are regulars in the drier regions of the Okanagan in southern BC. This male was singing from the top of a fence post as the rest of the birds pilled on the cow farm that is on the plateau. Quail are prolific breeders and can have up to 28 eggs in one nest. They then raise the young in communal groups of several families. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
California Quail - Vaseux Cliffs, BC