Elegant Quail

(Callipepla douglasii)

• Avicultural Data
• Images
• Bibliography
• Links

Callipepla douglasii Photo by Allan Wautier

Other Names: Benson Quail, Crested Quail, Douglas Quail, Yaqui Quail.

Range: Western Mexico

Subspecies: C. d. douglasii, C. d. bensoni, C. d. teres, C. d. impedita and C. d. languens. It is unknown the race that is seen in captivity. My best guess would be douglasii and bensoni and I'm sure that they have been interbred.

Habitat: Arid scrublands.

Brief Description: The most notable feature is the golden-buff crest of the male. The head is dark, speckled with black and gray that extends to the throat. The sides of the neck are grayish-brown, the back and sides are brown, streaked with white. The breast and belly are gray and brown with large white spots. The legs, feet and bill are dark gray to black.

Brief Description, Female: Similar to, but much duller than the male, overall mottled brown and gray.

Status in Wild: Not well known.

Avicultural Data

Status in Aviculture: This species has never been very common in captivity.

Breeding Season: Late April to June.

Breeding Age: First year.

Clutch Size: 8 to 12

Incubation Period: 22-23 days.

Misc. Aviculture Notes: This species is not as common as the other "desert" quails in captivity and are still rather expensive. They are nervous and flighty birds that require a roomy aviary. They are not winter hardy and will need protection from the cold. I have heard from other keepers that it is best to keep the birds in pairs for best fertility and to keep the hens from fighting.

Visitor Submitted Notes: If you would like to add your experiences with this species, send an e-mail to webmaster@gbwf.org.

Click on thumbnails for larger views.

Photo Credits
Allan Wautier

• Hayes, LB. 1995. Upland Game Birds: Their Breeding and Care. Leland Hayes, Valley Center, CA.
• Johnsgard, P.A. 1988. The Quails, Partridges, and Francolins of the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
• Madge, S., McGowan, P. 2002. Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.

Links related to Elegant Quail. Please note, links will open in a new window.

• Elegant Quail - Photos of Elegant Quail from azwildbirds.com.
• Elegant Quail - Mangoverde World Bird Guide Species Page; Images & Sounds.
• Molecular systematics of the Scaled Quail complex (genus Callipepla). - Article from Robert M. Zink & Rachelle Blackwell, published in The Auk, 1988.
• Wikipedia - Elegant Quail - Wikipedia's species page.