Gambel's Quail

Gambel's Quail Overview

Gambel's quail is an introduced open-country bird found mainly in dry areas. In Hawaii, it is common on Lanai and Kahoolawe, and it can also be seen in limited numbers in dry shrublands near Mauna Kea on the Big Island.

This quail has a cinnamon-red crown, a curved head plume and a black patch on the belly. It is more likely to be seen moving along the ground than perched high in trees. Its dryland habitat makes it quite different from wetland birds such as the Hawaiian stilt or cattle egret.

Where It Lives

Look for Gambel's quail in dry shrublands, open country and scrubby areas where it can stay low and move quickly through cover. It is not a common backyard bird across all islands, so seeing one depends a lot on location.

Its plume and warm head coloring make it one of the easier quail to recognize. In Hawaii's bird list, it fits with other introduced upland birds such as the grey francolin and kalij pheasant.