Quails are small game birds that belong to the Phasianidae family and are popular among bird enthusiasts and hunters for their meat and eggs. There are several breeds of quails, each with unique characteristics and traits. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common breeds of quails, including the Japanese Quail, Italian Quail, English White Quail, British Range Quail, Button Quail, Bobwhite Quail, and Gambel’s Quail.
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1. Japanese Quail
The Japanese quail, also known as the Coturnix quail, is the most common breed of quail kept by farmers and hobbyists. They are native to Asia, particularly Japan, and are the smallest of all domestic quail breeds.
Japanese quails are known for their docile temperament, high egg production and fast growth rate. They reach maturity at six weeks and can start laying eggs from seven weeks onwards. A single hen can lay up to 300 eggs a year. Japanese quails are also popular for their meat, which is lean and flavorful.
2. Blue Scale Quail
The Blue Scale Quail, also known as the Blue Quail, is a small quail breed native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. They are named for the distinctive blue markings on their feathers, which create a unique scale-like pattern. Blue Scale Quails have a grayish-brown body with white and black markings on their wings, and they have short, square tails.
Blue Scale Quails are primarily ground-dwelling birds that inhabit arid and semi-arid grasslands, savannas, and deserts. They feed on a variety of seeds, insects, and vegetation and are known for their ability to survive in harsh, arid environments. Blue Scale Quails are popular among bird enthusiasts and hunters for their unique appearance and delicious meat.
3. Mountain Quail
The Mountain Quail is a medium-sized quail breed native to the western United States, known for its distinctive, elongated, plume on its head that droops forward, giving it a regal look. They prefer dense, brushy habitats, such as chaparral, coniferous forests, and oak woodlands.
Mountain Quails are primarily ground-dwelling birds and are capable of running and flying short distances. They are popular among bird enthusiasts and hunters for their striking appearance and unique hunting challenges.
4. California Valley Quail
The California Valley Quail is a medium-sized quail that is native to the western United States. They are also known as Valley Quails, Valley Partridges, or California Quails. California Valley Quails have plump bodies, short necks and round wings. They are easily recognizable by their distinctive black plume on top of their heads, which looks like a teardrop-shaped feather. They also have a black patch on their bellies and a white stripe above their eyes.
California Valley Quails are popular among bird enthusiasts and hunters for their striking appearance and docile temperament. They are often kept as pets or for breeding, and their eggs are considered a delicacy.
5. Button Quail
The Button quail, also known as the Chinese painted quail, is the smallest of all quail breeds and is native to Asia, particularly China and India. They are popular among bird enthusiasts for their unique appearance and docile temperament. Button quails are also kept for their eggs, which are small but flavorful.
6. Bobwhite Quail
The Bobwhite quail is native to North America and is also known as the Virginia quail. They are the most popular game bird in the United States and are commonly hunted for sport.
Bobwhite quails are characterized by their distinctive whistling call, which is often heard in their natural habitat. They are hardy birds and can adapt to a wide range of environments, making them popular among hunters and game bird enthusiasts. Bobwhite quails are also kept for their meat, which is tender and flavorful.
7. Gambel’s Quail
Gambel’s quail is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. They are named after William Gambel, an American naturalist who first described the species in the mid-19th century.
Gambel’s quails are known for their distinctive plume on top of their heads and their unique calls, which sound like a series of clucks and whistles. They are popular among bird enthusiasts for their striking appearance and docile temperament. Gambel’s quails are also hunted for sport, and their meat is lean and flavorful.
