How difficult is it to keep California Quail?

Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.

What is the lifespan of California Quail?

The average lifespan of California Quail is 6-8 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.

How large does California Quail get?

California Quail typically reaches 24-27cm (wingspan 32-37cm; 140-230g) as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed California Quail?

California Quail feeds on: Quail crumbles, seeds of herbaceous plants, greens, berries and insects. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for California Quail?

The price of California Quail varies significantly depending on variety, age, sex, and the individual animal's condition. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

California Quail

Intermediate

Callipepla californica

A ground-dwelling New World quail with a forward-curling topknot. The male is grey and brown with a black face outlined in white and a longer plume; the female is plainer brown and lacks the facial stripes. It is the state bird of California.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Temperature

15〜30℃

Lifespan

6-8 years

Size

24-27cm (wingspan 32-37cm; 140-230g)

Humidity

40〜60%

Diet

Quail crumbles, seeds of herbaceous plants, greens, berries and insects

About

The California quail (Callipepla californica) is a ground-dwelling New World quail of western North America, named in Japanese for the forward-curling topknot. The male is grey and brown with a black face outlined in white and scalloping on the underparts; the female is plainer brown and lacks the facial stripes. The birds gather in small flocks called coveys and dust-bathe in soft, sunlit soil, leaving circular hollows 7 to 15 cm across that betray their presence. It has been the state bird of California since 1931 and has been introduced and established in British Columbia, Hawaii, Chile, New Zealand and elsewhere. The hen usually lays 12 to 16 eggs, and families may combine into communal broods of several hens, several males and many young. In Japan the species was imported before the Second World War as a cage bird admired for the male's plumage.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the California Quail

The California Quail lives 6-8 years.

Size of the California Quail

The California Quail grows to 24-27cm (wingspan 32-37cm; 140-230g).

It is 24 to 27 cm long with a wingspan of 32 to 37 cm and weighs 140 to 230 g, and seven subspecies are recognised.

Basic Info

Origin

The western United States from Oregon to California and northwestern Mexico on the Baja California peninsula

Lifespan

6-8 years

Size

24-27cm (wingspan 32-37cm; 140-230g)

Care Specifications

PeacefulGroupBreeding: Moderate

Sources: Wikipedia - California quail (length 24-27cm, wingspan, weight 140-230g, seven subspecies, dust bath hollows 7-15cm, clutch of 12-16, communal broods, calls, state bird since 1931, introduced range) / Japanese Wikipedia - California quail (range, length 24-26cm, seven subspecies, import into Japan as a cage bird before the war)

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Callipepla californica (Shaw, 1798)

Synonyms: Tetrao californicus, Lophortyx californicus

Authority databases: GBIF

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern

Domestic law: Only captive-bred birds are traded. Because the species has established itself wherever it has been introduced, outdoor housing is expected to be managed so that birds cannot escape.

Callipepla californica appears in none of the CITES Appendices. It is not designated an Invasive Alien Species in Japan, where the seven birds so designated are the Canada goose, red-vented bulbul, four Garrulax species and the red-billed leiothrix, and as a non-native bird it is not a nationally endangered species there either. The IUCN assesses it as Least Concern.

Sources: CITES Appendices (Callipepla californica not listed; checked against the edition valid from 25 November 2023) / IUCN Red List / Ministry of the Environment, Japan - List of Invasive Alien Species designated under the IAS Act (birds)

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.