Quail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quail |
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| Brown Quail, Coturnix ypsilophora | |
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Quail (pronounced Kwāl) are small to medium-sized birds. They are part of a larger group of birds called Galliformes, which also includes chickens, turkeys, and pheasants. People often call these birds "fowl".
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What Are Quail?
Quail are known for being ground-dwelling birds. This means they spend most of their time on the ground. They are usually plump with short necks and small heads. They have strong legs and feet, which help them scratch for food.
Old World and New World Quail
There are two main types of quail:
- Old World Quail: These quail are found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They belong to the bird family called Phasianidae.
- New World Quail: These quail live in the Americas. They are part of a different bird family known as Odontophoridae.
Even though they live in different parts of the world and belong to different families, both types of quail share many similar features and behaviors.
Why Are Quail Important?
Many kinds of quail are raised on farms. They are important because they provide food for people, especially their meat and eggs.
Some quail are also raised for hunting on special game farms. Sometimes, these quail are released into the wild to help increase the natural population of quail in an area. This helps keep the wild populations healthy. Quail are also popular as pets for some people.
Group Names for Quail
When you see a group of quail together, you can call them by a few different names. The most common names for a group of quail are a flock, a covey, or a bevy.
