Californian Quail Callipepla californica

Californian Quails are native to the southwest of North America but are now prevalent throughout the west of the country. Several subspecies range from southwest Canada to northwest Mexico.

The adult male (above and top) has a strongly-marked black and white face, bold body markings and a little bunch of feathers forming a topknot from the top of his head like the feather of a Red Indian brave secured with his white headband. The forward-drooping topknot is made up of 6 feathers. He also has a dark belly. (Not quite a partridge in a pear tree.)

The female does not have the strong black and white facial lines, has only a small crest and has more muted body markings with a light belly.

They are ground-dwelling, gregarious birds which prefer to run but are capable of bursts of flight.