Quails are small-sized birds that belong to the Phasianidae family. There are many different species of quails found worldwide, but the most common quail species kept as pets or raised for meat and eggs include the bobwhite quail, coturnix quail, button quail, California quail, and Gambel’s quail.
Are quails herbivores, carnivores or omnivores?
Quails are omnivorous birds. This means they eat both plant-based foods and animal-based foods.
In the wild, quails are opportunistic eaters and will consume a varied diet according to the food sources available in their environment. Their natural diet consists of seeds, grains, green vegetation, berries, fruits, buds, edible flowers, nuts, acorns, insects, snails, worms and arachnids.
Domesticated quails reared for commercial egg and meat production are fed a high-protein feed that contains grains, corn, legumes, seeds, alfalfa, vegetable matter and added vitamins and minerals. They may also receive supplementary feeds like mealworms, crickets or maggots.
Evidence that quails are omnivorous
Here is some of the key evidence that quails are omnivores:
- Quails have both seed/grain crushing bills to consume plant matter as well as hooked bills for catching insect prey.
- They feed on a wide variety of food sources, including plant matter, seeds, fruits, and protein sources like insects, worms and snails.
- Wild quails will readily eat insects like grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, ants, and earwigs along with vegetation.
- Domesticated quails are fed poultry feeds that contain a blend of grains, seeds, vegetables and animal proteins.
- Quail chicks require high protein insect feeds like mealworms for optimal growth and health.
- Quails kept as pets eat commercial poultry feeds, leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, seeds, and supplemented with proteins like hard boiled eggs, mealworms, crickets or earthworms.
- Their digestive system allows them to breakdown and digest both plant and animal matter.
The varied, omnivorous diet enables quails to obtain carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals needed to meet their nutritional requirements for growth, egg production, health and survival.
Do quails eat only plants?
No, quails do not eat only plants. They are considered omnivores, not herbivores. While a good portion of their diet comprises seeds, grains and leafy plant matter, quails also need animal proteins to thrive.
In the wild, quails forage on seeds, cereal grains, grasses, fruits, acorns, berries, buds, edible flowers and foliage. This plant matter provides them with carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and some proteins.
However, they also purposefully hunt for insects, worms, snails, spiders and other small invertebrates to meet their high protein requirements especially during the breeding season and for proper development of chicks.
Do quails eat meat?
Yes, quails are omnivores so they do eat small amounts of meat and animal proteins in the form of insects, worms, snails, slugs and arachnids. However they do not kill and eat the meat of larger animals.
Domesticated quails are fed formulated poultry feeds that contain added animal proteins like chicken byproduct meal, fish meal, egg, bone meal and dried blood meal to provide essential amino acids.
Some key animal protein sources eaten by wild and domesticated quails include:
- Insects: Crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars, maggots, earwigs, beetles, ants, flies, mealworms etc.
- Earthworms and red worms
- Snails, slugs and shellfish
- Spiders, scorpions, ticks
- Chicken byproduct meal
- Fish meal
- Dried blood meal
- Eggs
These animal proteins are eaten in moderation and complement the quail’s primary plant diet. The protein provides essential amino acids and promotes growth, egg production and overall health.
Do quails eat vegetables?
Yes, vegetables make up an important part of the quail diet. Wild quails forage on leafy greens, seeds, edible flowers, buds, shoots, leaves, berries and fruits.
Domesticated quails can be offered a variety of fresh vegetables as part of a balanced diet. Some good vegetables for pet or breeding quails include:
- Lettuce – Romaine, green leaf, red leaf
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Spinach
- Chard
- Dandelion greens
- Carrot and beet greens
- Broccoli
- Squash
- Peas
- Corn
- Shelled beans
- Sprouted seeds
Chopped greens and vegetables provide nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants and fiber. Veggies should be fed in moderation to supplement the quail’s main diet.
Do quails eat fruit?
Yes, quails eat fruit as part of their omnivorous diet. Wild quails forage on small fruits like berries, figs, seeds, acorns and buds.
Domesticated quails can also be offered small portions of fruits like:
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Chopped apples
- Melons
- Banana
- Chopped mango
- Berries
- Figs
- Watermelon
- Papaya
Fruits provide natural sugars, vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Too much fruit can cause loose droppings. Offer fruits in moderation as a supplemental treat.
Do quails eat eggs?
Yes, quails are perfectly adapted to eat and digest eggs. In fact, hard boiled or scrambled eggs make an excellent supplemental protein treat for domesticated quails.
In the wild, quails are known to eat small amounts of eggs from time to time. Mother quails produce a special ‘crop milk’ in their throat to feed chicks, but young chicks also begin pecking at food very early including egg yolk.
Adult quails may eat eggs opportunistically for the high quality protein. Common sources of eggs include:
- Their own unfertilized eggs
- Eggs from abandoned nests
- Broken eggs found while foraging
Egg eating is not very common in the wild, but domesticated quails can be fed hard boiled or scrambled eggs about 1-2 times per week as part of a balanced diet. It provides an excellent protein boost.
Signs that quails are omnivores
Here are some clear signs and adaptations that indicate quails are naturally omnivorous:
- Varied diet – Quails eat a diverse blend of plant and animal matter.
- Foraging behavior – Quails scratch and peck at the ground seeking seeds, grains, fruits, veggies, and small insects or worms.
- Opportunistic eaters – They will eat a wide variety of plant and animal food sources based on seasonal availability.
- Bill shape – Their slightly curved beak allows them to crack seeds/grains and catch insects.
- Feeding chicks – Mother quails produce ‘crop milk’ but chicks also peck insects.
- Commercial diet – Farm raised quails eat poultry feed with grain, veggies, and added animal proteins.
- Keeping quails as pets – Pet quails thrive on a varied omnivorous diet.
Do quails change their diet?
Yes, quails are flexible omnivores and will change their diet based on the seasonal availability of different food sources in their environment.
During spring and summer when insect populations boom, quails eat more insects like beetles, caterpillars, ants, grubs and earthworms. They also consume berries, seeds, greens and fruits during warmer months.
In fall and winter, they shift to eating more grains, seeds, acorns, buds, and any remaining greens and berries. Protein from insects decreases though they may still eat worms and grubs.
This seasonal adaptation allows quails to take advantage of the most readily available and nutritious foods in their habitat at different times of the year.
What do baby quails eat?
Newly hatched quail chicks eat a diet rich in insects and proteins for optimal growth and health. Here is what baby quails eat:
- Crop milk – Crop milk produced in the mother’s throat provides nutrition.
- Mealworms
- Crickets
- Maggots
- Fly larvae
- Ant eggs
- Small seeds
- Finely chopped greens
- Hard boiled egg yolk
- Chick starter feed
- Game bird starter feed
Without proper protein from insects or a starter feed, baby quails can face stalled growth and health complications. Access to fresh water is also critical.
What vegetables can quails eat?
Quails can eat a variety of vegetable matter as part of a balanced diet. Some of the best vegetables for quails include:
- Lettuce – Romaine, green leaf, red leaf
- Spinach
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Corn
- Green beans
- Shelled beans
- Carrots
- Squash
- Sweet potato
- Pumpkin
- Zucchini
Vegetables can be offered fresh, frozen or freeze dried. Chop veggies to proper bite sizes. Feed veggies in moderation along with their regular diet. Avoid vegetables high in oxalates which can bind calcium.
What fruits can quails eat?
Quails can be offered small portions of various fruits as an occasional treat. Some safe fruits for quails include:
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Huckleberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Mango
- Pears
- Apples
- Bananas
- Papaya
- Figs
- Berries
Chop the fruits into bite size pieces. Feed fruits sparingly, about 1-2 times per week as too much can cause loose droppings.
What human foods can quails eat?
Here are some healthy human foods that domesticated quails can be offered in moderation:
- Hard boiled eggs
- Scrambled eggs
- Plain greek yogurt
- Cooked oatmeal
- Brown rice
- Whole grain pasta
- Cooked beans
- Chopped fruits and berries
- Vegetables like spinach, kale, carrots
- Whole grains like barley, millet, buckwheat
Avoid offering quails highly processed foods, salt, seasonings, oils, chocolate, caffeine or alcohol. Stick to healthy whole foods in small amounts to supplement their main diet.
What animals eat quails?
As small ground-dwelling birds, quails face predation from a variety of animals. Some key quail predators include:
- Foxes
- Coyotes
- Bobcats
- Snakes
- Hawks
- Falcons
- Eagles
- Owls
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Feral cats
- Dogs
To avoid predators, quails rely on camouflage and hiding in vegetation. When threatened, they burst into flight at speeds up to 60 mph. Quails will also freeze in place to avoid detection.
Interesting facts about quails
- There are over 130 species of quail worldwide.
- Quails inhabit every continent except Antarctica.
- They are plump small-sized birds weighing 4-8 ounces.
- Quail bodies are rounded with small heads and soft, plump feathers.
- Their fat, rounded shape enables them to fly rapidly to escape predators.
- Quails roost on the ground in hidden areas and dense brush.
- They communicate using vocal calls and are social birds.
- Quails reach sexual maturity and begin breeding at 6-12 weeks old.
- They mate for life to raise multiple broods each season.
- Quail eggs hatch after 16-23 days of incubation.
- The chicks leave the nest shortly after hatching and feed themselves.
- Quails are game birds hunted for sport and food.
- Domesticated quails produce tasty meat and eggs.
- Their average lifespan is 1-3 years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, quails are omnivorous birds that feed on both plant and animal matter. Evidence clearly shows they consume seeds, grains, vegetables, fruits, greens, and protein from insects, worms, snails and eggs. Their diverse diet allows them to thrive in varied environments.
A natural forager’s diet along with formulated feeds makes quails perfectly adapted omnivores. Their flexibility enables them to take advantage of seasonal food sources. While quails eat more plant matter overall, they clearly benefit from supplemental animal proteins.