Quail (Gambel's)

The name "Gambel’s" is in recognition of William Gambel (1821-1849), an American naturalist who died on an ill-fated winter crossing of the Sierra Nevada. Gambel’s quail inhabit brushy and thorny vegetation of south-western deserts.

Also known as the Arizona, top-knot or desert quail, they are found in dry areas of the south-western United States and parts of Mexico. They have also been introduced to Hawaii.

Gambel's Quail form large groups or coveys as large as 200 during the winter in Arizona. During the spring, these large flocks break up and the males begin to draw females to their chosen territory. Fights between rival males can become quite vicious while they try to draw mates into their territories

Photographed in the wild, Phoenix, AZ