Harlequin Quail

Harlequin Quail

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
The Harlequin Quail, found throughout Central America and the southwest of the United States, is also known as the Montezuma Quail, Mearns' Quail, and the Fool's Quail. This bird is popular among gamebird hunters, where it can sometimes be found in open pastures and fields eating insects (the primary ingredient in its feed). They have a unique coloration of feathers which aids in their means of camouflage. Old friend of the show, Ed Bangs, hunts these birds and told me about their interesting flight pattern. "The dog will be pointing and you walk up, walk up and a couple of feet away they will kick up and fly and try and get around a tree as fast as possible. Very explosive flight and real fast and low. They live in an oak savanna, so when they fly, it is quite common that they jump and they bend around the first tree they can. When you think about the revolution it makes sense. Let's say a hawk is after you, that's a pretty good strategy. Who would've known a quail would have that much intelligence? I think being hunted by hawks for 10,000 years helped. Very explosive fast flight. And they are beautiful. Very pretty birds, the males.
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