The California quail (Callipepla californica) is a ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family that inhabits the western United States and Mexico. They are known for their distinctive topknot of feathers on their heads and their loud, frequent calls of “chi-ca-go” which give them their nickname of “chi-chi”. California quail lay their eggs in nests on the ground hidden in vegetation. The female builds the nest and incubates the eggs while the male stays nearby to guard the nesting territory. In this article, we will explore where California quail build their nests and lay their eggs, their nesting habits, clutch sizes, and interesting facts about their eggs and reproduction.
Where California Quail Nest
California quail nest on the ground concealed in grass, brush, or other dense vegetation. They prefer sites that provide overhead cover such as shrubs, forbs, grass clumps, or logs. The nests are shallow scrapes or depressions in the soil lined with grass, leaves, feathers, and other plant material. Typical nesting locations include:
Grasslands
In grasslands, California quail often nest at the base of bunchgrasses. The grasses help hide the nest while allowing the sitting hen to watch for predators. Areas with moderately tall grass cover are preferred.
Brushlands
Brushlands dotted with shrubs, young trees, and forbs provide ideal California quail nesting habitat. Quail often build nests under sagebrush, buckbrush, chaparral, and other brushy vegetation. The overhead canopy helps conceal the nest.
Field Edges
Transitional zones between habitat types, such as the edge of a field adjacent to woods or brush, are prime real estate for California quail nests. The contrasting plant heights provide an open yet sheltered nest site.
Fencerows
Overgrown fencerows with grasses, forbs, vines, and shrubs are attractive nesting areas for California quail. The tangle of vegetation shields the nest from predators and weather.
Ditches and Rights-of-Way
California quail frequently nest along roadside ditches, railroad rights-of-way, irrigation canals, and similar corridors of dense ground cover. The linear shaped vegetation offers nest concealment.
California Quail Nesting Habits
California quail have some distinctive nesting behaviors:
Nest Construction
The female quail builds the nest by scratching out a shallow depression and lining it with grasses, leaves, feathers, and other materials. Nest dimensions are approximately 5 inches deep and 8 inches across. Nest building takes 2-4 days.
Egg Laying
Once the nest is prepared, the female lays one egg per day, usually in the afternoon. Clutch size ranges from 10-16 eggs for an average of about 12. Egg laying takes 10-16 days until the clutch is complete.
Incubation
The female incubates the eggs alone. She sits tightly on the nest and rarely leaves for feeding breaks. Incubation lasts 21-23 days. The male stays nearby standing guard but does not incubate.
Nest Defense
California quail vigorously defend their nesting territory. The parents use loud alarm calls and distraction displays to draw intruders away from the nest. They may fake wing injuries to elicit predator pursuit.
Brood Rearing
The precocial chicks hatch covered in down and able to leave the nest immediately. The female broods the chicks frequently for the first 2 weeks after hatching. The male guards and helps feed the chicks as they mature.
California Quail Eggs
California quail eggs have the following characteristics:
Coloration
The eggs are plain white and oval shaped. They do not have any speckles or markings.
Size
Quail eggs are relatively small, averaging 1.5 inches long and just over 1 inch wide. They weigh approximately 10 grams.
Shell Texture
The shells feel smooth and slightly glossy. Their surface is mostly uniform without heavy texture.
Yolk Color
The egg yolk is yellow-orange when hard cooked. The yolk provides nutrients for the developing embryo.
Contents
Inside a fertilized egg is the embryo encased in albumen and membranes. An air cell forms inside the egg as the contents shrink during incubation.
Here is a quick comparison of key California quail egg features:
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Shape | Oval, elliptical |
Size | 1.5 x 1.1 inches |
Color | Plain white, no markings |
Shell Texture | Smooth, slightly glossy |
Yolk Color | Yellow-orange when cooked |
Interesting Facts
Here are some additional interesting facts about California quail reproduction and eggs:
Multiple Broods
California quail produce multiple broods each year from spring to late summer. The female establishes a new nest and lays another clutch after one brood reaches independence.
Male Incubation
If the female dies during incubation, the male may take over care of the eggs. He lacks a brood patch but can incubate effectively.
Egg Predators
Ground predators like raccoons, skunks, and snakes raid California quail nests for eggs. The parents actively defend the nest but have limited success against these egg thieves.
Hosting Other Species
California quail occasionally build their nests on top of old nests made by other upland game birds. This hosting helps conceal the new nest.
Longevity
California quail eggs can maintain viability for over one month if incubation doesn’t start. This gives the parents flexibility in laying and caring for their clutch.
Conclusion
In summary, California quail nest on the ground hidden in areas like grasslands, brush, field edges, rights-of-way, and ditches. The females lay white, oval-shaped eggs in clutches of 10-16, incubating them for 21-23 days. The eggs are small, around 1.5 x 1 inches, with a smooth, plain white shell. Interesting reproduction facts include multiple brooding and occasional male incubation. Understanding where and how California quail build nests and lay clutches helps provide insight into their breeding ecology in the western states.