Quail are small game birds, native to most of the world.
Quails are mid-sized game birds. They nest on the ground and have a high reproductive rate. Quails will lay 12 to 15 eggs per reproductive cycle, with the female doing most of the incubation. You can find quails throughout the world. They come in two distinct groups, the New World species in the Americas and the Old World species in Europe, Africa and Asia.
New World Quails
The New World species of quail are only distantly related to the Old World species of quail and are grouped together due to their similar size, appearance and nesting habits. New World quails belong to their own taxonomic family, Odontophoridae. They have short wings, necks and tails, and can only fly for short, fast bursts. Their legs are strong, allowing them to run quickly and powerfully, and the birds use them to escape danger. Quails range from dull gray and brown to brightly colored, with the males having more flashy plumage than the females.
New World Quail Species
Genus Callipepla
• California Quail
• Elegant Quail
• Gambel's Quail
• Scaled Quail
Genus Colinus
• Black-throated Bobwhite
• Crested Bobwhite
• Northern Bobwhite
• Spot-bellied Bobwhite
Genus Cyrtonyx
• Montezuma Quail
• Ocellated Quail
Genus Dactylortyx
• Singing Quails
Genus Dendrortyx
• Bearded Tree Quail
• Buffy-crowned Tree Quail
• Long-tailed Tree Quail
Genus Odontophorus
• Black-breasted Wood Quail
• Black-eared Wood Quail
• Black-fronted Wood Quail
• Chestnut Wood Quail
• Dark-backed Wood Quail
• Gorgeted Wood Quail
• Marbled Wood Quail
• Rufous-breasted Wood Quail
• Rufous-fronted Wood Quail
• Starred Wood Quail
• Stripe-faced Wood Quail
• Spotted Wood Quail
• Spot-winged Wood Quail
• Tacarcuna Wood Quail
• Venezuelan Wood Quail
Genus Oreortyx
• Mountain Quail
Genus Philortyx
• Banded Quail
Genus Rhynchortyx
• Tawny-faced Quail
Old World Quails
Old World quails belong to the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are small and plump, living mainly on the ground. Quails are mainly seed eaters but will also eat small insects. They are capable of short bursts of flying, but prefer to use their strong legs to run and hide from danger. Quails range in color from neutral gray to bright, and use their plumage to help them blend into their surroundings to hide from predators. They are often bred for their meat. Some people farm quails for their eggs, which are very small and a delicacy to some.
Old World Quail Species
Genus Anurophasis
• Snow Mountain Quail
Genus Coturnix
• African Blue Quail
• Asian Blue Quail
• Brown Quail
• Common Quail
• Harlequin Quail
• Japanese Quail
• Rain Quail
• Stubble Quail
Genus Ophrysia
• Himalayan Quail
Genus Perdicula
• Jungle Bush-quail
• Rock Bush-quail
• Painted Bush-quail
• Manipur Bush-quail
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