Species Profile
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnix
Quail
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: European Quail, Quail
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Appearance
The Common Quail is a small, plump gamebird with a round body and short tail. Its plumage is primarily brown and buff, with intricate black and white markings. The male features a distinctive black anchor-shaped throat patch.
Females are similar but lack the bold throat marking and have more heavily streaked breasts; they're also generally heavier and have slightly longer tails. Both sexes have a pale stripe above the eye and dark crown stripes.
Chicks start life with fluffy yellow downy feathers, and their heads and upperparts have dark striping. Juveniles resemble adult females but have barred flanks.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Pink
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Common Quails inhabit open grasslands, agricultural fields, and meadows across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They prefer areas with tall grasses or crops that provide cover.
As long-distance migrants, they breed in Europe and western Asia and winter in Africa and southern Asia. In the UK, they are summer visitors, arriving in May and departing by September.
Distribution
Diet
Quails are omnivorous and opportunistic and primarily feed on seeds from grasses and crops, supplementing their diet with insects and small invertebrates.
During the breeding season, they increase their intake of protein-rich insects to support egg production and chick growth. They forage by scratching and pecking at the ground.
Behaviour
Common Quails are secretive birds, often preferring to run rather than fly when disturbed. They are typically solitary or found in small groups outside the breeding season.
These birds are most active during dawn and dusk, spending much of their time foraging on the ground for seeds and insects.
Calls & Sounds
The male Common Quail's call is a distinctive, rhythmic 'wet-my-lips' or 'quik-quik-quik', repeated several times. This call is often heard in the early morning or evening, especially during the breeding season. Females produce a softer, bubbling call.
Nesting & Breeding
Common Quails typically breed from March to August, depending on the climate. Males attract females with their distinctive call, often forming monogamous pairs for the season.
The female creates a shallow scrape on the ground, lined with grass and leaves, usually hidden in dense vegetation. She lays 8-13 eggs, which are cream-coloured or white with brown spots.
Incubation lasts about 17-20 days, carried out solely by the female. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching and can fly within two weeks.
Conservation
While listed as Least Concern globally, Common Quail populations face threats from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and hunting.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable grassland and farmland habitats, particularly in their breeding ranges across Europe and Asia.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their distinctive 'wet-my-lips' call, especially in the early morning or evening
- Look for movement in tall grass or cereal crops
- Be patient and quiet, as these birds are easily startled
- In the UK, watch for them in agricultural fields during the summer months
Did You Know?
- Common Quails can fly at speeds up to 70 km/h (around 43 mph) during migration.
- They are the only migratory species in the quail family.
- In ancient Egypt, quails were considered a delicacy and depicted in hieroglyphics.
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