I live in the Aptos hills and watch Quail regularly. All of mine are
flocked up in their covey right now. They all look mature. Come Spring
they will separate out into pairs. Then the pairs will be herding chicks.
Next it seems that a couple of pairs will join forces and watch over the
nursery. Then it's back to all together in the covey. A male will often
be slightly separated from the others and up in a tree standing guard.
That male will call out alarm or other instructions.
On Sun, Dec 28, 2025 at 11:45 AM Heidi Sandkuhle <mrskuhle...>
wrote:
> Hi Shantanu,
> I live in Corralitos which has many coveys of quail seemingly everywhere,
> now. I cannot ever recall seeing a singular quail, except for a female on
> a nest.
> I observe quail of both sexes, and age ranges together all the time on my
> property. Quail are very vocal, so a single one should be alert to ones
> nearby. Is it sick? Lost?
> Who knows? Nature will take its course, but a single member of a flock,
> alone, out of probable habitat will be a target for predators—cats included.
> Sorry to be of no help, but I hope you enjoy your visitor!
> Keep us posted!
> Heidi Sandkuhle
>
> On Dec 28, 2025, at 11:04 AM, Mary Anne Goldberg <mapmg2011...>
> wrote:
>
> To anyone who is responding to Shantanu's question -!please reply to the
> group as well. I'd love to read the replies.
> Thanks,
> Mary Anne Goldberg
> Royal Oaks
>
> On Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 12:52 PM Shantanu Phukan <phukan...>
> wrote:
>
>> 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?
>>
>> Shantanu Phukan
>>
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