Gambel's Quail Photo Gallery

Male

Plump game bird with comma-shaped, forward-facing crest. Useful markings include creamy buff belly with black central patch, chestnut sides, and bright cinnamon-brown crown.

Female

Plump, short-legged game bird with short, forward-facing crest. Buffy belly and chestnut sides. Females are fairly plain gray on the head and neck, and lack the male's black belly patch.

Adult male

Adult male has gray upperparts, a rufous crown, a black face and throat, and a black topknot sticking up from the front of the head.

Male

Combination of cinnamon crown, buffy belly with black central patch, and chestnut sides make this species distinctive.

Female

Plump game bird with gray-brown head and neck, chestnut sides, and buffy belly. Usually forages on the ground, but sometimes moves into low shrubs or cacti.

Male

Walks along the ground, jutting its head forward, and picking at seeds and plant material on the ground. This video has no audio.

Male and female

A classic bird of the deserts of southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico. Usually forages on the ground, but sometimes moves into low shrubs or cacti.

Male and juvenile

In summer, flocks or coveys usually consist of a male and female plus up to 16 offspring. Juveniles have buffy-brown heads and mottled brown and black bodies.