Common Quail
Coturnix coturnix
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<birdfyi-bird slug="coturnix-coturnix"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small, highly migratory Phasianidae quail (~108 g) breeding across Eurasia and wintering in Africa and South Asia. The only long-distance migratory galliform; travels by night. Males utter a distinctive 'wet-my-lips' call from cereal crops. Feeds on seeds and invertebrates. Least Concern despite hunting pressure.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 21.2 cm | 8.3 in |
| Weight | 107.775 g | 3.80 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Sandy-brown above with pale buff shaft streaks and dark brown anchor markings; pale buff below with dark flank streaks; male with dark anchor-shaped throat mark; female plain buff throat. Cryptically patterned.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Breeds across Europe, North Africa, and Asia from the Atlantic to Mongolia; long-distance migrant wintering in sub-Saharan Africa and India.
Diet & Feeding
Eats seeds, grain, and plant material; takes invertebrates heavily when breeding; migrates between foraging grounds.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 17-20 days. Fledging: 19 days.
Clutch Size
2-15
Sound
Song
Distinctive 'wet-my-lips' or 'whit-whit-WHEET' three-note call; ventriloquial from cereal fields. Rarely seen. Alarm is soft 'crit-crit'. Calls at night during migration. Female response softer.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges) |
| Genus | Coturnix |
| Species | Coturnix coturnix |
Distribution
Common Quail has been recorded in 8 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Common Quail eat?
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What does the Common Quail sound like?
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Phasianidae family