Common Quail
Least ConcernCoturnix coturnix
Visual Identification
Common Quail
Appearance
The Common Quail is a small, plump gamebird with a round body and short tail. Its plumage is primarily brown and buff, with intricate black and white markings. The male features a distinctive black anchor-shaped throat patch.
Females are similar but lack the bold throat marking and have more heavily streaked breasts; they're also generally heavier and have slightly longer tails. Both sexes have a pale stripe above the eye and dark crown stripes.
Chicks start life with fluffy yellow downy feathers, and their heads and upperparts have dark striping. Juveniles resemble adult females but have barred flanks.
Size
Length
16cm to 18cm
Wingspan
32cm to 35cm
Weight
70g to 140g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Buff
Secondary Colour
White Black
Beak Colour
Grey
Leg Colour
Pink
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Common Quails inhabit open grasslands, agricultural fields, and meadows across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They prefer areas with tall grasses or crops that provide cover.
As long-distance migrants, they breed in Europe and western Asia and winter in Africa and southern Asia. In the UK, they are summer visitors, arriving in May and departing by September.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Mediterranean, Subtropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Quails are omnivorous and opportunistic and primarily feed on seeds from grasses and crops, supplementing their diet with insects and small invertebrates.
During the breeding season, they increase their intake of protein-rich insects to support egg production and chick growth. They forage by scratching and pecking at the ground.
Behaviour
Common Quails are secretive birds, often preferring to run rather than fly when disturbed. They are typically solitary or found in small groups outside the breeding season.
These birds are most active during dawn and dusk, spending much of their time foraging on the ground for seeds and insects.
Vocalisation
The male Common Quail's call is a distinctive, rhythmic 'wet-my-lips' or 'quik-quik-quik', repeated several times. This call is often heard in the early morning or evening, especially during the breeding season. Females produce a softer, bubbling call.
Nesting & Breeding
Common Quails typically breed from March to August, depending on the climate. Males attract females with their distinctive call, often forming monogamous pairs for the season.
The female creates a shallow scrape on the ground, lined with grass and leaves, usually hidden in dense vegetation. She lays 8-13 eggs, which are cream-coloured or white with brown spots.
Incubation lasts about 17-20 days, carried out solely by the female. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching and can fly within two weeks.
Lifespan
The Common Quail typically lives for 2 to 5 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 14 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While listed as Least Concern globally, Common Quail populations face threats from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and hunting.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable grassland and farmland habitats, particularly in their breeding ranges across Europe and Asia.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their distinctive 'wet-my-lips' call, especially in the early morning or evening
- Look for movement in tall grass or cereal crops
- Be patient and quiet, as these birds are easily startled
- In the UK, watch for them in agricultural fields during the summer months
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
European Quail, Quail
Family:
PhasianidaePredators
Did You Know?
- Common Quails can fly at speeds up to 70 km/h (around 43 mph) during migration.
- They are the only migratory species in the quail family.
- In ancient Egypt, quails were considered a delicacy and depicted in hieroglyphics.
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FAQs
Do people eat Quail?
Quail are popular food birds in many parts of the world and are often commercially available. Both Quail eggs and meat are popular despite being rather small.
Are common Quail good pets?
Many people keep Quails as pets, and these birds have many benefits over other species. Quails are relatively quiet and clean, although they need a cage or aviary with plenty of floor space.
Do Quail bond with humans?
Wild Quails are shy birds that will never approach humans, although captive Quails can be tamed. Dedicated Quail keepers can develop a bond with their birds, but they are not the most affectionate pets.
How to pronounce Quail
The word Quail can be confusing at first glance, but it is easy to pronounce. This word sounds like KWAYL.
References
- 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Coturnix coturnix. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22678944A131904485.
View source - 4
report, 1994: del Hoyo et al.
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source