Scaled quail are a unique and interesting game bird found throughout the arid regions of the southwestern United States. With their distinctive scaly plumage and sociable nature, scaled quail provide a fun challenge for birders and hunters alike. By understanding their habitat, behavior, diet, and seasonal patterns, you can increase your chances of locating and observing these birds.
What is the Scaled Quail?
The scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) is a mid-sized upland game bird. It gets its common name from the distinctive scales on its breast and back feathers. These scaly markings provide excellent camouflage in the open desert scrub where scaled quail live. Other notable features include a crest on top of their heads and a bright blue-gray patch around their eyes. Males and females look similar.
Scaled quail are highly social birds that travel and feed in large coveys outside of breeding season. A covey may contain 40 or more birds. Their call is a distinctive “whoopt whoopt” whistle. They prefer running along the ground to flying but will explosively flush when startled. Scaled quail are non-migratory residents throughout their range.
Range and Habitat
Scaled quail live in the deserts and arid grasslands of the Southwestern United States. Their range extends west from Texas to California and south from Colorado to central Mexico. A small isolated population exists in western Oklahoma.
Within their range, scaled quail prefer open landscapes dominated by short grasses, scrub brush, and succulents. Typical habitat includes desert grasslands, plains, mesa country, canyon bottoms, and areas along desert washes. Proximity to water sources is important when available. They avoid dense vegetation and forested areas.
When and Where to Find Scaled Quail
The seasonal movements and daily habits of scaled quail provide clues on the best times and places to search for them. Here is some guidance on locating scaled quail throughout the year:
Seasonal Movements
Scaled quail do not migrate and generally occupy the same home ranges year-round. However, they do make minor local movements based on the season:
- Spring: Coveys break up and birds pair off for the breeding season. Follow sounds of their calls to find pairs.
- Summer: Adults lead young broods to areas with ample food and cover. Focus search around sources of water.
- Fall: Scaled quail gather into large coveys again after breeding season. Find them in areas of good food supply.
- Winter: Coveys range widely seeking food. Search large areas of suitable habitat.
Time of Day
Scaled quail activity fluctuates on a daily cycle:
- Early morning: Forage actively at dawn after roosting overnight. Listen for pre-dawn covey calls.
- Mid-day: Seek shade and rest during hottest part of day. Look under shrubs and cacti.
- Late afternoon: Feed more actively as temperatures cool. Find near food sources.
- Dusk: Travel to roost sites where they will spend the night. Watch flight patterns.
Water Sources
Because scaled quail live in arid environments, populations concentrate around dependable water sources like springs, seeps, and man-made water developments:
- Natural springs and seeps
- Man-made guzzlers or catchment ponds
- Creeks and rivers
- Backyard bird baths and water features
Search for sign around these areas including tracks, droppings, feathers, dust baths, and the birds themselves coming to drink.
Food Sources
Scaled quail feed on a variety of seeds, leaves, buds, insects, and berries. They forage on the ground and low in shrubs. Key food sources by season include:
- Spring: Fresh green vegetation, new buds, seeds, berries
- Summer: Seeds, fruits, green vegetation, insects for protein
- Fall: Seeds, acorns, fruits, grain crops
- Winter: Seeds of grasses, forbs, shrubs, remaining berries
Areas to check include fields of grain crops, edges of agriculture, under oak trees with acorns, desert washes lined with shrubs and brush, and ranch lands grazed by livestock.
Locating Scaled Quail Habitat
The first step in finding scaled quail is identifying the large-scale habitat features they prefer. Here are some ways to pinpoint prime scaled quail habitat:
Check Maps
Consult range maps to define their overall geographic distribution. Then study landcover maps and vegetation data to find regions of suitable desert grassland or scrubland habitat within their range.
Talk to Locals
Speaking with biologists, nature tour companies, and sportspeople (birders, hunters) can help you learn the best public land areas or private ranches to find scaled quail in a region.
Search Aerial Imagery
Satellite imagery and aerial photos provide an overhead view of terrain and habitat types. Look for mosaics of open scrub, grasslands, and desert washes. Steer towards areas with water sources.
Drive or Hike Areas
Once you’ve used maps and imagery to narrow down potential sites, confirm habitat suitability by visiting those areas on foot or by vehicle. Drive roads scanning for birds or optimal habitat. Hike into remote areas.
Finding Scaled Quail: Search Tips and Techniques
Once you’ve located promising scaled quail habitat, the following search techniques and tips will help you find birds:
Listen for Calls
The distinct “whoopt whoopt” whistle calls of scaled quail carry far over open country. Stop and listen carefully from high vantage points. If you hear calling, move cautiously towards it to pinpoint birds.
Look for Sign
Evidence of scaled quail presence includes tracks, droppings, feathers, dust baths, etc. Search around areas of thick cover and soil where quail would leave sign.
Focus at Dawn and Dusk
Make an effort to be in prime habitat during peak activity periods at dawn and dusk. Patiently scout food and water sources at these times.
Employ a Trained Dog
Dogs trained to hunt upland birds can be extremely useful for flushing hidden scaled quail.
Play Taped Calls
Broadcasting scaled quail calls from an electronic game caller can elicit responses from real birds and help you locate them.
Watch Water Sources
Sit quietly at a water source for extended periods around dawn and dusk. Eventually scaled quail will visit to drink.
Glass and Still Hunt
Slowly hike while scanning ahead with binoculars. Move stealthily between points of observation. Pause frequently to look and listen.
Drive Roads and Trails
Drive backroads scanning carefully for movement. Stop periodically and turn off vehicle to listen for covey calls.
Don’t Overlook Urban Areas
Scaled quail will inhabit urban areas adjacent to open desert washes. Look for them in greenbelts and parks.
Confirming Your Identification
Many other quail species inhabit the southwestern U.S. Accurately identifying scaled quail requires looking at several key characteristics:
Plumage
- Scaly breast and back feathers
- Crest on top of head
- Blue-gray patch around eyes
Vocalizations
- Loud, nasal “whoopt whoopt” whistles
- Fast chip notes
Range
- Southwestern U.S. and Mexico
Use field guides or mobile apps to cross-reference multiple identification features. Look for all these signatures together to confirm scaled quail.
Ideal Times to Find Scaled Quail
Though possible to find year-round, some periods provide better opportunity to locate scaled quail based on seasonal behaviors. The following are peak times in different regions:
Southwest Texas
- February-March: Coveys call and display on breeding grounds
- July-August: Adults with chicks concentrate at water
- October-November: Large coveys form up after breeding season
Southeastern Arizona
- April-May: Nesting season; find pairs
- Mid-August: Adults congregate with half-grown chicks
- December-January: Coveys feed on winter annuals
California and Baja
- March-April: Breeding displays and calling
- Mid-July: Recently hatched chicks
- November: Coveys collect on fall/winter food sources
Plan your searches during seasonal peaks when scaled quail are most active and concentrated.
Best Areas to Find Scaled Quail
Some specific regions provide prime scaled quail habitat and populations. Top areas include:
Southwest Texas
- Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park
- Black Gap and Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
- Trans Pecos region
- Edward’s Plateau and Stockton Plateau
- Chaparral Wildlife Management Areas
Southeastern Arizona
- Altar and Avra Valleys
- Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
- Coronado National Forest
- Appleby WMA and Bingham Cienega
- Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
California and Baja
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Carrizo Plain National Monument
- Valley de Trinidad, Baja California
- Sierra San Pedro Martir, Baja
Concentrate efforts in quality habitat within these regions to up your odds of scaled quail sightings.
Conclusion
With their unique scaled plumage and social behavior, scaled quail epitomize the desert southwest. By understanding their habitat preferences, daily and seasonal patterns, and using proven search techniques, you can better your chances of finding one of these special upland birds. Study up on their ecology, pinpoint areas where they concentrate, then spend time in the field listening and searching. With persistence and proper timing, you’ll be rewarded with sightings of scaled quail strutting, foraging, or exploding from cover in a wild flush.