Gambel's Nesting Biology Reminder:
The beginning of the monogamous reproductive year is announced by male "caw" calls. These calls are most often given from some elevated perch, and each bird has a distinctive tone to its cry. Only those males in breeding condition and advertising for a mate call. Later, calling is most pronounced among unmated birds and those whose hens are absent. Peak calling activity coincides with the height of reproductive condition and nest initiation.
The ovulation and reproductive cycle is started in spring with a diet of greens and succulent vegetation high in Vitamin A -- especially the exotic, Filaree and Indian Wheat. The Vitamin A (some also say phytoestrogens) is stored in the quails' livers and begins the ovulation cycle in hens.
The nest is usually a scrape on the ground bordered by small twigs and sparsely lined with grass stems and a few feathers. The nests are located randomly throughout the habitat, usually under a shrub or some other protected locale such as a prickly pear patch.
Hens will lay approximately one egg a day and then begin incubation after the last egg is in the nest. Youngsters hatch 21-23 days later. The usual clutch is 10-12 eggs. Nests in dry years may contain 5 or fewer and as many as 20 have been recorded. However, nests with more than 15 are usually the result of more than one hen -- called "dump nests." The Peak of the hatch is usually late April or May but can be as late as Sept. If a nest is lost or destroyed, hens have been known to re-nest, but late "second hatches" by the same hen are rare and are of minor importance. The male has a strong parental interest. Should something befall the hen, he will incubate the eggs and adopt the orphaned chicks. Food , for the first few days of a chick's life, is entirely animal matter: beetles, small worms, caterpillars, and grasshoppers.
Information and Quotes: David E. Brown, "Arizona Game Birds", 1989.
"In years with poor breeding conditions, Gambel's quail may postpone nesting or prolong the nesting season, resulting in birds nesting throughout the summer. Gambel's quail nesting late in the season, June through September, is a bad sign and bodes poorly for the numbers of birds the following winter." Randy Babb, "Hunting Arizona's Small Game"
Note: Even though David E. Brown's book was published in 1989, most of the scientific studies he cites are from the 1950's and 1960's. More recent data is needed -- surely! And it is all about funding. The Quail Forever folks, quail fanatics like myself, and the small game biologists all want to see current research projects. But honestly -- it's hard to compete with elk, deer, antelope, wolves, bass, trout, and especially non-game threatened species, et. al.
-- for that AG&F funding.
The beginning of the monogamous reproductive year is announced by male "caw" calls. These calls are most often given from some elevated perch, and each bird has a distinctive tone to its cry. Only those males in breeding condition and advertising for a mate call. Later, calling is most pronounced among unmated birds and those whose hens are absent. Peak calling activity coincides with the height of reproductive condition and nest initiation.
The ovulation and reproductive cycle is started in spring with a diet of greens and succulent vegetation high in Vitamin A -- especially the exotic, Filaree and Indian Wheat. The Vitamin A (some also say phytoestrogens) is stored in the quails' livers and begins the ovulation cycle in hens.
The nest is usually a scrape on the ground bordered by small twigs and sparsely lined with grass stems and a few feathers. The nests are located randomly throughout the habitat, usually under a shrub or some other protected locale such as a prickly pear patch.
Hens will lay approximately one egg a day and then begin incubation after the last egg is in the nest. Youngsters hatch 21-23 days later. The usual clutch is 10-12 eggs. Nests in dry years may contain 5 or fewer and as many as 20 have been recorded. However, nests with more than 15 are usually the result of more than one hen -- called "dump nests." The Peak of the hatch is usually late April or May but can be as late as Sept. If a nest is lost or destroyed, hens have been known to re-nest, but late "second hatches" by the same hen are rare and are of minor importance. The male has a strong parental interest. Should something befall the hen, he will incubate the eggs and adopt the orphaned chicks. Food , for the first few days of a chick's life, is entirely animal matter: beetles, small worms, caterpillars, and grasshoppers.
Information and Quotes: David E. Brown, "Arizona Game Birds", 1989.
"In years with poor breeding conditions, Gambel's quail may postpone nesting or prolong the nesting season, resulting in birds nesting throughout the summer. Gambel's quail nesting late in the season, June through September, is a bad sign and bodes poorly for the numbers of birds the following winter." Randy Babb, "Hunting Arizona's Small Game"
Note: Even though David E. Brown's book was published in 1989, most of the scientific studies he cites are from the 1950's and 1960's. More recent data is needed -- surely! And it is all about funding. The Quail Forever folks, quail fanatics like myself, and the small game biologists all want to see current research projects. But honestly -- it's hard to compete with elk, deer, antelope, wolves, bass, trout, and especially non-game threatened species, et. al.
-- for that AG&F funding.
Ariz Quail Hunting Camp Copyrighted by Bob Corley, Use by permission only.