quail bird
1. Bird Name: Common Quail / Coturnix Coturnix
2. Appearance: The common quail is a small bird, with distinct patterns and markings making it a delight to behold. The most common variant of the species generally has a buff-brown coloration with stripes and spots of black, white and blue-grey. The underparts are lighter and the rump and flanks have bars on them. The bird’s beak is small, strong and sharp, perfect for foraging through dirt and vegetation for food. The bird’s eye color ranges somewhere between a dark brown to black. Male quails have a black face and throat, while females have a more subtle pattern resembling hens.
3. Size: This modest bird doesn’t boast grand proportions, with an average length of 16-18 cm (6-7 inches). It has a relatively small wingspan ranging from 32 to 35 cm. Their weight typically varies between 70-140 grams.
4. Habitat & Distribution: Quails are cosmopolitan birds and can be found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They inhabit farmland and open grasslands. In Asia, they are also abundant in brushwood, reed beds, and field boundaries. During winter, they migrate to warmer regions in Africa.
5. Interesting Facts: The common quail is known for its incredible migration ability, traveling thousands of kilometers each year from Europe to Africa. The bird is a part of many cultures and is commonly used for game hunting and birdwatching. Interestingly, the male quail has a distinctive ‘wet-my-lips’ call, attracting females during the breeding season.
6. Diet: The common quail mainly feeds on seeds, insects, grass, snails, and sometimes small frogs. Their sharp beak enables them to forage beneath the ground surface enticingly.
7. Behavior & Sounds: Quails are rather elusive, preferring to stay well hidden within their habitats. They are ground-dwelling birds with rapid, short flights in case of disturbance. The male’s song is distinctive – a repetitious ‘wet my lips’ heard mainly at dawn and dusk.
8. Conservation Status: According to the IUCN Red List, the common quail is currently of ‘Least Concern.’ However, their populations have recently shown a declining trend due to wide-ranging factors like habitat loss, climate change, and hunting.
9. Lifespan: The common quail usually lives up to 3-5 years in the wild, while in captivity, and under optimal conditions, it can live up to 8 years.
10. Additional Notes: The birds have different local names, for instance, in Spain, it’s called “Codorniz” and in Germany, it’s “Wachtel.” Humans have historically interacted with quails mainly for hunting and gourmet purposes, but in recent years, birdwatchers have grown interested in these elusive creatures. In ecosystems, quails play the role of seed dispersers thereby promoting vegetative growth. They also act as a vital source of food for larger predators, playing a key role in the food chain.
The quail, though small and inconspicuous, is a bird with a far-reaching influence, reflecting in the ways it contributes to our ecosystems, food systems, and cultural narratives.
