Gambel’s Quail snuggling up to a White-winged Dove
Arizona hosts four species of quail, each tied to distinctive habitats and regions across the state.
(Callipepla gambelii)
The most widespread and recognizable quail in Arizona, Gambel’s Quail thrives in the Sonoran Desert, desert washes, and mesquite thickets. Males are noted for their bold black face, chestnut cap, and curved topknot plume. They live in coveys and feed on seeds, green vegetation, and insects, often adapting well to suburban settings with cover.
Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata)
Also known as “cottontop quail,” this species is primarily found in southeastern Arizona’s desert grasslands and open scrub. With bluish-gray plumage and a distinctive scaled feather pattern, the Scaled Quail is less common than Gambel’s and has a more localized distribution in Arizona.
Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae)
Sometimes called “Mearns’s Quail,” this striking species inhabits the oak woodlands and grassy foothills of southeastern Arizona’s Madrean Sky Islands. Males have ornate black-and-white facial markings, while both sexes show rounded bodies and beautifully mottled plumage that provides camouflage. Shy and secretive, they are often only detected when flushed at close range.
Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
Once more widespread in Arizona, the Northern Bobwhite is now considered rare and localized, with scattered populations mainly in southeastern grasslands and riparian corridors. This species is recognized by its distinctive whistled “bob-white” call. Males have a bold white throat and eyebrow stripe, while females show buffy markings. Habitat loss and fragmentation have contributed to its decline in the state, and sightings are now infrequent.