Common Quail
Coturnix coturnix
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
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
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird 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.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
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
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
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
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
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
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:
PhasianidaeAverage Lifespan
2 to 5 years
Max Lifespan
14 years [4]
Predators
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.
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 2
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Coturnix coturnix. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22678944A131904485.
View source - 3
report, 1994: del Hoyo et al.
- 4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source
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