Mountain quail (Oreortyx pictus) are a species of quail native to the western United States and Mexico. They are found in brushy foothills and canyons in a handful of U.S. states.
States with Mountain Quail Populations
There are four U.S. states that have established breeding populations of mountain quail:
- California
- Oregon
- Washington
- Nevada
Of these states, California has by far the largest mountain quail population and distribution. The quail are found throughout many of the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills of central and northern California.
California
In California, mountain quail live in brushy foothills, canyons, and mountain slopes from the southern Cascade Range and northern Sierra Nevada south to Santa Barbara County. Their range extends west of the Sierra crest and the Sacramento Valley into the Coast Ranges.
Major population centers are found in the northern Coast Ranges (Mendocino to Monterey counties), southern Cascades, Sierra Nevada foothills, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and isolated sites in southern California.
Oregon
In Oregon, breeding populations of mountain quail occur in the southwestern part of the state. Their range extends from the Cascades east through the Siskiyou Mountains and into the southwest interior valleys.
The quail are most numerous in Jackson and Josephine counties. Isolated populations may occur in the Ochoco and Aldrich mountains.
Washington
Washington marks the northern edge of the mountain quail’s range along the Cascades. They are found in the southern Cascade Range foothills, east of the main Cascade crest.
Most of Washington’s mountain quail occur from the Columbia River south to Klickitat County. The largest populations live in Skamania and Klickitat counties.
Nevada
In western Nevada, mountain quail occur in scattered sites within the Nevada portion of the Sierra Nevada. The quail live mainly in Carson City, Douglas, Storey, and Washoe counties.
A few isolated populations may also occur in western Nevada’s interior valleys.
Former Range and Population Declines
Historically, mountain quail had a broader distribution across parts of the western U.S. Their former range extended eastward into Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and possibly western Montana.
Over the past 150 years, the quail have disappeared from substantial portions of this range. Habitat loss and fragmentation are considered major factors causing population declines.
For example, mountain quail have not been conclusively documented in Idaho since the 1880s and are thought to be extirpated. They are now rare or absent across large swaths of their former range in Oregon, Nevada, and southern California.
Habitat Preferences
Mountain quail live in foothill and mountain habitats with ample brush and tree cover. They prefer more open woodlands and brushy edges over dense forest interiors.
Key habitat features include:
- Gentle mountain slopes with varied topography
- Mixture of oak woodland, brushy draws, and open grassy areas
- Nearby water sources
- Food sources like seeds, acorns, berries, and green vegetation
A diversity of woody shrubs for cover is important. In California, mountain quail readily use chaparral habitats dominated by species like chamise, manzanita, and ceanothus.
Threats and Conservation
The mountain quail remains in a relatively healthy position across most of its current range. However, habitat loss and degradation remain threats in localized areas.
Agricultural and urban expansion along California’s foothills has significantly altered quail habitat. Changes in grazing and fire regimes have also impacted brush communities used by the quail.
Mountain quail are classified as a game bird and managed under state hunting regulations. Monitoring Harvest trends and hunter surveys help track populations. Habitat enhancement efforts benefit the quail in some areas.
Continued habitat management and protection of key brushy, open foothill habitats will help conserve mountain quail populations into the future.
Conclusion
In summary, the mountain quail is a western quail species found in foothill regions of California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. California provides the stronghold for remaining mountain quail populations. Loss of brushy foothill habitats likely contributed to declines across portions of their former range.
Ongoing conservation efforts for the mountain quail should focus on preserving and properly managing scrubby, open foothill habitats in the western U.S. Maintaining habitat connectivity will also be key for sustaining populations into the future.
