Shady Hollow
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GAMEBIRDS
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| California Valley Quail |
Name: Called by many names including Cali Valley,
Topknots, Valleys and more. Named for their native
wild habitat and homerange.
Topknots, Valleys and more. Named for their native
wild habitat and homerange.
Origin: Valleys have a range that extends from the
Canadian west coast, through Oregon and
Washington- down to California and Nevada. These
birds are at home in the desert and scrublands.
Canadian west coast, through Oregon and
Washington- down to California and Nevada. These
birds are at home in the desert and scrublands.
Uses: Used primarily as a hunt bird or to restock
native ranges for conservation purposes. Meat is of
challenging. High-strung temperament makes them
less than ideal for simple egg production. Feathers
used in crafts and fly tying.
native ranges for conservation purposes. Meat is of
challenging. High-strung temperament makes them
less than ideal for simple egg production. Feathers
used in crafts and fly tying.
Varieties: Valleys come in only one type. They have a close cousin, however, that resembles them quite
a bit. Gambel's Quail looks like a Valley with a few exceptions. Valley cocks have a white/tan forehead.
In Gambel's Quail this area is black. The other major difference is that Valley Quail have a scaled
black/white breast that fades to a nice orange laced underbody. Gambel's lack this lacing and instead
have a chestnut patch on the lower breast. Overall the Valleys are a steel blue/grey with beige tones
throughout. Fine lacing and patterning is found in the neck and flanks.
a bit. Gambel's Quail looks like a Valley with a few exceptions. Valley cocks have a white/tan forehead.
In Gambel's Quail this area is black. The other major difference is that Valley Quail have a scaled
black/white breast that fades to a nice orange laced underbody. Gambel's lack this lacing and instead
have a chestnut patch on the lower breast. Overall the Valleys are a steel blue/grey with beige tones
throughout. Fine lacing and patterning is found in the neck and flanks.
Terms: Hatchlings are known as chicks, males are cocks and females are hens. The white stripes and
coloration around the cock's face are known as the mask. The group of feathers that extend from the top
of their heads are called a crest or topknot. Valley Quail, being endemic to North America, belong to the
New World Quail family. New World Quail include Scaled, Gambel's and Bobwhites.
coloration around the cock's face are known as the mask. The group of feathers that extend from the top
of their heads are called a crest or topknot. Valley Quail, being endemic to North America, belong to the
New World Quail family. New World Quail include Scaled, Gambel's and Bobwhites.
Behavior: Valley Quail are an enjoyable bird if you have the right set-up. Like many other gamebird
species, the Valleys do get territorial during breeding season. We made the mistake of allowing 4 cocks
and 6 hens to stay together in a small colony pen. As soon as the weather warmed up, these birds that
has been with one another since hatch began to fight. By the time I found them fighting there was only one
male left and he had claimed all the hens. They can certainly be effective when displaying their group of
happy guinea pigs playing with owls. It is so enjoyable to hear them 'laughing' and hooting in the warm
summer mornings. They are a very high-strung bird and are always ready to flush away from danger. I
have not had any luck in breaking birds of this wild flightiness, even when hand-reared.
species, the Valleys do get territorial during breeding season. We made the mistake of allowing 4 cocks
and 6 hens to stay together in a small colony pen. As soon as the weather warmed up, these birds that
has been with one another since hatch began to fight. By the time I found them fighting there was only one
male left and he had claimed all the hens. They can certainly be effective when displaying their group of
happy guinea pigs playing with owls. It is so enjoyable to hear them 'laughing' and hooting in the warm
summer mornings. They are a very high-strung bird and are always ready to flush away from danger. I
have not had any luck in breaking birds of this wild flightiness, even when hand-reared.
Breeding: Because of their wild nature, each cock should be kept separate with 4-7 hens in plenty of
space. Eggs usually start to drop in the first week of May for us. In our conditions we can get the valleys to
breed all the way into September, the norm being only into July. Males call to one another and generally
do not offer any vivid displays. Eggs are pointed and usually an off-white with tan, black or pinkish remove
cock birds if you are going to do this- in the event that they do not accept the chicks. Valley chicks are
fragile and should be given delicate care during the first few weeks. They need good heat, no drafts,
high-protein feed, clean water and a clean brooder to get off to a good start.
space. Eggs usually start to drop in the first week of May for us. In our conditions we can get the valleys to
breed all the way into September, the norm being only into July. Males call to one another and generally
do not offer any vivid displays. Eggs are pointed and usually an off-white with tan, black or pinkish remove
cock birds if you are going to do this- in the event that they do not accept the chicks. Valley chicks are
fragile and should be given delicate care during the first few weeks. They need good heat, no drafts,
high-protein feed, clean water and a clean brooder to get off to a good start.
Keeping: The flighty and aggressive nature of these birds is the hurdle to overcome when keeping them.
They should have a large enough or long enough enclosure to get away from you when they feel
threatened. Space is key with these quail. It offers them personal safety and reduces stress all-around.
Birds can be kept in a colony for winter months but it is wise to just keep cocks separated. Even brothers
will fight when it comes to claiming territory. With space under control, the only other thing to worry about is
cover. These birds like to roost and they also enjoy foraging in fresh grass and fern clippings. With
adequate housing, these dainty yet extremely hardy quail will flourish in almost any collection.
They should have a large enough or long enough enclosure to get away from you when they feel
threatened. Space is key with these quail. It offers them personal safety and reduces stress all-around.
Birds can be kept in a colony for winter months but it is wise to just keep cocks separated. Even brothers
will fight when it comes to claiming territory. With space under control, the only other thing to worry about is
cover. These birds like to roost and they also enjoy foraging in fresh grass and fern clippings. With
adequate housing, these dainty yet extremely hardy quail will flourish in almost any collection.
Recommended Reading: N/A
