Elegant quail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elegant quail |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Callipepla
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| Species: |
douglasii
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| Synonyms | |
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Callipepla elegans |
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The elegant quail (Callipepla douglasii) is a cool bird that lives only in a specific part of Mexico. You can find it in the thorny forests along the Pacific coast, from southern Sonora down to Nayarit. These quails usually stay on the ground and are quite common. Because there are so many of them, experts say they are a "species of least concern," meaning they are not in danger of disappearing.
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What Does the Elegant Quail Look Like?
The elegant quail grows to be about 25 centimeters (10 inches) long. The male bird has a special, long, golden-buff crest on its head. It stands up straight! The female's crest is grey, which helps tell them apart.
Both male and female quails are mostly grey. They have black, brown, and white spots and streaks on their bodies. The male also has some reddish-brown markings. Their beak is black, their eyes are brown, and their legs are dark grey or black.
How to Tell Them Apart from Other Quails
You can tell the elegant quail apart from similar birds like the scaled quail, California quail, and Gambel's quail. Just look at the male's crest color and the lighter spots on its sides.
What Sounds Do They Make?
Elegant quails make different sounds. When they are feeding on the ground during the day, they make a "chip-chip" call. This helps them stay in touch with other quails in their group. In the evening, when they gather to sleep, they make a "cu-cow" call. They repeat this call in the morning before they start looking for food.
Where Do Elegant Quails Live?
Elegant quails are found only in Mexico. They live on the Pacific side of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. You can find them at heights of up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet). Their home range stretches from Sonora and southwestern Chihuahua to northern Jalisco.
Their Favorite Places to Live
These birds usually live in thorny scrub areas and forests where trees lose their leaves. They also like open ground and farm fields. When something bothers them, they usually freeze in place or run through the plants. They only fly if they really have to.
Is the Elegant Quail in Danger?
The elegant quail lives across a very large area, covering about 118,000 square kilometers (45,560 square miles). It is a common bird, and its population seems to be growing. This is because when forests are cleared, it creates more open spaces that these quails like. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says the elegant quail is a "species of least concern." This means it is not currently at risk of extinction.
