The nest is a shallow depression in the soil and lined with leaves and other vegetation. Their body is decorated in vibrant grey, chestnut and cream coloration with less scaling noted on their plumage than their look-a-like cousins, the California quail. Diet includes seeds and fruits. This is the land of extremes where daytime temperatures in the summer can exceed 110 degrees fahrenheit (43 celsius) and winter temperatures can drop to below freezing. Gambel's quail can be commonly confused with California Quail due to similar plumage. Dr. William Gambel (1823-1849) was the … In hot dry deserts, coveys of this quail are common, even entering suburban areas in search of water and food. They are chicken-like, ground-dwelling birds that forage on seeds, fruit, plant material and insects. The females have a gray head and face and lack the black belly patch. The Gambel’s quail or the desert quail is a small bird belonging to the family Odontophoridae, a family consisting of New World quails. It has a small round body, short square tail, short legs, … These quails are quite similar to Old World quails but only distantly related to them. Description and Life History of the Gambel’s Quail. Gambel’s quail Discovered and named by naturalist William Gambel in 1841, Gambel’s quail are identified by a reddish-brown collection of feathers that make up their topknot. The California quail and Gambel’s quail can look very similar, though the Gambel’s quail has more reddish coloration on its cap and flanks, and a much larger, black patch on its lower abdomen. Both species have a head plume (larger in males) curling forward. Gambel's Quail: This medium-sized quail has gray upperparts and breast, scaled gray nape, black belly patch, head and plume, white-bordered black face, cinnamon-brown crown, buff underparts, and flanks streaked chestnut-brown and white. They are plump, short-tailed quail with gray plumage. California Quail vs. Gambel’s Quail . The Gambel’s quail is similar to other quail species in body shape and size. Other articles where Gambel’s quail is discussed: quail: …Gambel’s, or desert, quail (Lophortyx gambelii). Below are some interesting facts about the Gambel’s quail and where you can find them. During the hottest part of mid day they frequently rest in the shade or perch in a low bush. Being slightly larger than Northern Bobwhites, Gambel’s quail are just under a foot long with an average wingspan of 15 inches. The female Gambel’s quail lack the distinctive facial features of the male and have a smaller, less prominent plume. California quail have scaly markings whereas Gambel’s quail are plainer. They are not known for their extraordinary intelligence. They can usually be distinguished by range, but when this does not suffice, California quail have a more scaly appearance and the black patch on the lower breast of the male Gambel's Quail is absent in the California Quail. It feeds on plant shoots, seeds, fruits and occasionally insects. It alternates several stiff wing beats with short glides. Gambel’s quail are well adapted to living in the harsh Mojave Desert climate that is found in southern Nevada. There are two species of quail that occur in these areas: the Gambel's quail, which is named after a 19th century explorer of the southwestern U.S (William Gambel), and the California quail, which is the state bird of California. Quail are a popular Southwestern North American game bird. Similar to other Texas quail, Gambel’s prefer to run and hide when flushed, rather than fly. Quail Information. 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