Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata)
Scaled Quail

Scaled Quail

Callipepla squamata

The scaled quail, known also as the blue quail or cottontop, is a bluish-gray bird adorned with a distinctive white crest that resembles a tuft of cotton. Its breast and back feathers exhibit a unique scaly appearance, which is the origin of its common name.

Identification Tips

To identify the scaled quail, look for its scaly markings and the prominent white crest on its head. The bird's overall coloration is a bluish-gray, which blends seamlessly with its arid surroundings.

Habitat

Scaled quail are found in arid regions, where they frequent open valleys, plains, foothills, and canyons with a mix of bare ground, low herbaceous growth, and scattered brushy cover.

Distribution

This species ranges from the Southwestern United States to Central Mexico, with established populations in south-central Arizona, northern New Mexico, east-central Colorado, and southwestern Kansas, extending south through western Oklahoma and western and central Texas into Mexico.

Behaviour

When disturbed, scaled quail show a preference for running rather than taking flight. They are fairly sedentary, with winter home ranges of coveys varying from 24 to 84 acres, and they maintain stable territories from September to November.

Breeding

The scaled quail's nest is a grass-lined hollow that typically contains 9–16 speckled eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 21 to 23 days. Double-brooding is common, with the male often rearing the first brood while the female begins a second clutch.

Diet and Feeding

Scaled quail are opportunistic feeders, with a diet consisting primarily of seeds, including those of mesquite and snakeweed. They also consume leaves, fruits, and insects, with green vegetation and insects being important sources of moisture during summer.

Conservation status

The scaled quail is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating that it is widespread and common throughout its range.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Scaled Quail Fun Facts

Did you know?
Scaled Quails sleep together in a circle, all facing outwards, for protection.

Scaled Quails on Birda

Sightings

More New World Quail

A photo of a California Quail (Callipepla californica) , male

California Quail

Callipepla californica
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.