I have an adult, male California Quail hanging out in my backyard for the last 5 days. I know this is a common yard bird for those of you who live near chaparral, but for me in my neighborhood near Ocean and Soquel this is highly unusual. In the 19 years I have lived in this house I have only seen a quail once (a female in 2023). I first saw this quail in my toyon tree on the 22nd, and scared it off and it flew off into the neighborhood where I lost it.
Every day since then it has appeared and foraged in the backyard where I throw millet seeds for the sparrows. It also roosted and preened in my persimmon tree for an hour and is still here now after 5 hours. I do live a block from Branciforte Creek but the creek is channeled at this point so its hard to think how it could even have got near my house which is surrounded by homes and fenced backyards for at least ten blocks all around.
We are all being held hostage to the quail since we dont want to step out lest we scare it off. But if I had to be held hostage this is a wonderful way for it to happen.
Now my questions:
I would normally expect quails to be in coveys at this time of year, so what is this quail doing all alone for the last 5 days?
Do young adult males disperse and leave their natal flocks after they have grown up?
Would a young adult born this summer already have attained adult plumage by December or does it take them till later into the next year for this to happen?
Is it in danger from lurking cats or are quails a little too big cats?
