Montezuma Quail
Cyrtonyx montezumae
Pigeon Like
Length: 9 in. (23 cm )
Usually more common than it appears, this small quail can hide motionless only a few feet from you only to explode in flight in a heart-stopping instant as you almost step on it. At other times, however, the Montezuma Quail will stand obviously in the middle of a path or road. Its habitat is open oak pine-oak woodlands with bunch grass. Small family groups form coveys in the fall and winter. Their food includes fruit, acorns, and insects. The nest is a depression in the ground and overhung with long grass. Although it is hunted in some areas, populations have been severely impacted by overgrazing and forest clearing in parts of its range.
The four-digit banding code is MONT.
Male |
Female |
Oak-pine woodland
Savanna
Bibliographic details:
- Article: Montezuma Quail
- Author(s): Dr. Biology
- Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
- Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
- Date published: 13 Jul, 2017
- Date accessed:
- Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/montezuma-quail
APA Style
Dr. Biology. (Thu, 07/13/2017 - 15:37). Montezuma Quail. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/montezuma-quail
Chicago Manual of Style
Dr. Biology. "Montezuma Quail". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/montezuma-quail
MLA 2017 Style
Dr. Biology. "Montezuma Quail". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/montezuma-quail
Be Part of
Ask A Biologist
By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.
