Gamble’s quail (Callipepla gambelii) and Valley quail (Callipepla californica) are two similar species of small game birds found in the western United States. Both are members of the New World quail family Odontophoridae. They inhabit dry, open habitats such as grasslands, chaparral, and desert brush. Despite their similarities, there are several key differences between these two quail species when it comes to appearance, habitat, diet, breeding, and behavior.
Quick Facts
Gamble’s Quail
- Scientific Name: Callipepla gambelii
- Other Names: Desert quail, Codorniz del Desierto (Spanish)
- Length: 8-11 inches
- Wingspan: 10-12 inches
- Weight: 5-8 oz
- Plumage: Grayish overall with bold black and white markings on face and underside
- Diet: Seeds, leaves, buds, fruits, insects
- Habitat: Arid grasslands, desert brush, sagebrush, chaparral
- Range: Southwestern U.S., Mexico
Valley Quail
- Scientific Name: Callipepla californica
- Other Names: California quail, Codorniz Californiana (Spanish)
- Length: 9-11 inches
- Wingspan: 11-13 inches
- Weight: 5-8 oz
- Plumage: Grayish overall with bold white and black markings on face and underside
- Diet: Seeds, leaves, buds, fruits, insects
- Habitat: Chaparral, oak woodlands, riparian areas, grasslands
- Range: West Coast U.S., Mexico
Appearance
At a glance, Gamble’s quail and Valley quail appear very similar. They share the same stocky, rounded body shape and short tail typical of New World quails. They also have nearly identical markings on their heads and undersides. However, there are some subtle differences in their plumage and overall size.
Gamble’s quail has more grayish plumage overall, ranging from slate gray to brownish-gray. The feathers have pale streaks and bars. Males have a black throat bordered by white “whiskers.” Females lack the black throat and have a brown head and buff-colored throat instead.
Valley quail tend to be warmer brown overall with more rufous tones on the back and wings. The plumage is covered in white speckling and streaks along with some barring on the flanks. Males have the distinctive black throat outlined in white like Gamble’s quail. Females are plainer with a brown head and pale buff underside.
On average, Valley quail are slightly larger than Gamble’s quail. Valley quail measure 9-11 inches long with a wingspan of 11-13 inches. Gamble’s quail measure 8-11 inches in length with a 10-12 inch wingspan. However, their weights overlap at 5-8 ounces.
Habitat
Gamble’s quail and Valley quail occupy broadly similar habitats throughout their respective ranges. Both species thrive in dry, open environments with a mix of low vegetation. However, Valley quail have a stronger preference for areas with denser brush and tree cover compared to Gamble’s quail.
Gamble’s quail inhabit arid grasslands, sagebrush flats, chaparral, and desert brushlands. They are found at elevations up to 6,500 feet. They occur in relatively sparse, open vegetation including scrub oak, mesquite, acacia, and juniper. This desert quail requires free-flowing water sources.
Valley quail prefer brushier areas along the Pacific Coast and in the interior valleys of California. Typical habitat includes chaparral, oak woodlands, riparian areas, and fields bordered by thick vegetation. Valley quail are often found near water sources but do not require open water in the same way Gamble’s quail do. Valley quail occur at elevations below 8,000 feet.
The two quail overlap in parts of California, Arizona, and northern Mexico where arid habitats transition to oak savanna and chaparral. Valley quail thrive in lusher areas while Gamble’s quail occur in drier, more open microhabitats.
Diet
Gamble’s quail and Valley quail are both omnivorous, feeding on a varied mixture of plant and animal material. Their diets are quite similar overall but may vary in specifics based on seasonal and regional food availability.
Plant foods make up the majority of the diet for both quail species. Seeds are a staple food. They feed extensively on grass seeds as well as seeds from weeds, brush, and agricultural crops when available. Other plant foods include leaves, flower buds, fruits, berries, tubers, and cultivated grains.
Animal prey provides essential protein and nutrients. Both quail species forage for insects like grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, ants, and crickets. They also consume snails and spiders. Valley quail in particular will eat small lizards and frogs. Along the Pacific Coast, they feed on crustaceans washed up on beaches.
The relative amounts of different food items in their diets depend on what’s available seasonally and in their local habitat. For example, Gamble’s quail living in an area with agave plants may feed more heavily on agave nectar and fruits. Valley quail in oak woodlands consume more acorns in autumn. But overall, the two quail have broadly overlapping diets centered on seeds and insects.
Breeding and Reproduction
Gamble’s quail and Valley quail share similar breeding habitats and behaviors. However, there are some differences in the timing of their breeding seasons.
Courtship and Mating
Both quail species have polygamous mating systems where males mate with multiple females. In early spring, males begin defending breeding territories and attracting females with loud, frequent calling. They perform displays like wing-spreading and chases to show off for potential mates. The male’s distinctive “chi-ca-go” call is used to court females and ward off rival males.
Once paired, the male follows the female closely on feeding forays. Mating takes place in the male’s territory before the female leaves to build her nest alone. A male Valley quail may mate with up to a dozen females over the course of the breeding season.
Nesting
Nesting habits are similar between the two quail. The female scrapes out a shallow depression in the ground concealed by overhanging vegetation. She lines it with grasses and feathers, providing further camouflage. Gamble’s quail often nest at the base of shrubs while Valley quail prefer heavy brush.
Clutch sizes range from 9-16 eggs for Gamble’s quail and 6-18 eggs for Valley quail. Egg size and appearance are nearly identical. The female incubates the eggs alone for 21-23 days.
Chicks
After hatching, the female broods and cares for the precocial chicks on her own. The chicks are able to feed themselves right away while following their mother. They forage for insects and seeds while the mother shows them the best food sources. Their plumage develops quickly, enabling them to make short flights by two weeks of age. Families often join up into larger coveys as the breeding season progresses.
Breeding Season
The timing of breeding differs between the two quail species:
- Gamble’s quail: March to September, peaking April-June
- Valley quail: March to August, peaking April-July
Gamble’s quail start nesting earlier to take advantage of spring rainfall in the desert. Valley quail breed slightly later to align hatching with drier summers in coastal California. But overall breeding seasons overlap across much of the spring and summer.
Behavior
Gamble’s quail and Valley quail exhibit very similar behavior patterns throughout the year. They are highly social, living in flocks called coveys. Some key behavioral traits:
Coveys
Coveys provide safety in numbers from predators. They also aid in finding food. Winter coveys may contain 20-50 birds or more. In summer, they break into smaller family groups before reforming larger coveys in fall. If startled, they take explosive vertical flight as a group.
Vocalizations
Loud, frequent calling is used to maintain contact in coveys. The male’s “chi-ca-go” mating call carries for over a quarter mile. Other sounds include a high-pitched “peee-pe-pe” whistle of alarmed birds.
Dust Bathing
To clean feathers and control parasites, quail regularly dust bathe in loose soil. Anting, rubbing ants on their plumage, serves a similar function.
Roosting
At night, coveys roost on the ground together forming tight rings with their heads facing outwards. The covey remains silent to avoid detection.
Seasonal Movement
Local migration may occur between breeding areas and winter habitats. But most populations are non-migratory, undertaking local movements based on seasonal food and water availability.
Overall, the two quail behave very similarly as highly social ground birds adapted to open habitats. Differences lie mainly in local habitat preferences and migration tendencies rather than innate behavior.
Population Status
Both Gamble’s quail and Valley quail remain common and widespread throughout their respective ranges. According to the IUCN Red List, neither species is considered threatened or endangered currently:
- Gamble’s quail: Least Concern
- Valley quail: Least Concern
Gamble’s quail are abundant across 120,000 square miles of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Population trends are currently stable with no major threats.
Valley quail have a more restricted range in California and northern Mexico but are locally common. Habitat loss is a concern, but most populations are still thriving.
Hunting pressure and severe droughts can temporarily depress local quail numbers. But their high reproductive rates help populations bounce back quickly once conditions improve. Maintaining a variety of open shrubland habitats will be key to ensuring their long-term survival.
Differences Between Gamble’s Quail and Valley Quail
| Trait | Gamble’s Quail | Valley Quail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Callipepla gambelii | Callipepla californica |
| Plumage | Grayish overall with pale streaks | Browner overall with white speckling |
| Average size | 8-11 in. long, 10-12 in. wingspan | 9-11 in. long, 11-13 in. wingspan |
| Key habitat | Arid grasslands, desert scrub | Chaparral, oak woodlands |
| Breeding season | March – September, peaks April-June | March – August, peaks April-July |
| Conservation status | Least concern | Least concern |
Conclusion
In summary, Gamble’s quail and Valley quail exhibit more similarities than differences considering their close relationship. Key points of comparison include their plumage coloration, habitat preferences, and breeding chronology. Valley quail tend to prefer more mesic, brushy habitats while Gamble’s quail are found in arid grasslands and desert scrub. Gamble’s quail begin nesting earlier in spring to align with rainfall patterns in the desert southwest. Both remain common game birds, beloved by hunters and bird enthusiasts across the western U.S. Maintaining healthy populations of these iconic quail species depends on preserving diverse habitats from the Pacific Coast to the desert.
