No results found for ""

Tap search to view all possible matches

Common Quail

Coturnix coturnix

Most often seen as a brief flash of whirring wings as they burst from the undergrowth, the Quail is a shy and elusive game bird of grassy habitats.
Share this bird:

Visual Identification

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

The Common Quail is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Common Quail is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Common Quail is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Common Quail is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Common Quail is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Common Quail can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Common Quail can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Common Quail is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Common Quail is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Common Quail is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Common Quail is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Common Quail is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Common Quail. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
South Sudan
Species that pass through the area during migration
Bahrain Jordan Palestine Qatar
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Botswana Cameroon Seychelles Somalia Sri Lanka

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Stay informed about Common Quail and other fascinating birds, with expert bird watching tips, as well as relevant seasonal information.

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Common Quail demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly in flight. Their ability to reach speeds of up to 70 km/h (around 43 mph) during migration and navigate through dense vegetation showcases their nimbleness. Their preference for running rather than flying when disturbed also indicates quick reflexes and manoeuvrability on the ground.

Strength 40

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small gamebird, the Common Quail possesses moderate strength for its size. While capable of long-distance migration, their strength is more suited to short bursts of activity rather than sustained power. Their ability to scratch and forage effectively suggests decent muscular capability relative to their compact body.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Common Quails exhibit strong adaptability, thriving in various open habitats across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Their ability to utilise both natural grasslands and agricultural fields demonstrates flexibility in habitat selection. Additionally, their long-distance migratory behaviour and capacity to adjust their diet seasonally further highlight their adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness 30

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Common Quails are generally non-aggressive birds, preferring to avoid confrontation by hiding or fleeing. Their secretive nature and tendency to run rather than confront threats indicate a low level of aggression. However, males may display some territorial behaviour during the breeding season, hence the modest score.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The endurance of Common Quails is impressive, particularly considering their long-distance migratory habits. Flying from Europe to Africa and back annually requires substantial stamina. Their ability to cover vast distances during migration, coupled with their active foraging behaviour during dawn and dusk, demonstrates considerable endurance for a bird of their size.

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.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

15,000,000 - 35,000,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

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:

Phasianidae

Average Lifespan

2 to 5 years

Max Lifespan

14 years [4]

Predators

Common Quails are preyed upon by various raptors, foxes, and small carnivorous mammals.

Did You Know?

  1. Common Quails can fly at speeds up to 70 km/h (around 43 mph) during migration.
  2. They are the only migratory species in the quail family.
  3. In ancient Egypt, quails were considered a delicacy and depicted in hieroglyphics.

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

  1. 1 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Coturnix coturnix. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22678944A131904485.

    View source
  2. 3

    report, 1994: del Hoyo et al.

  3. 4

    website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds

    View source

Share Your Feedback

We value your opinion! Let us know what you think about this bird page.

Thank you for your feedback! We appreciate your input.