Alternative names: Fool Quail; Harlequin Quail; Mearns's Quail
- Cyrtonyx montezumae
Identification
22 cm. Tan back and wing coverts, light-buff streaks, nape crest, bill is black above and blue-gray below, striking, swirling black-and-white face pattern, tan plume lies flat over the crest, blue-grey sides with bold spots, dark brown chest and belly. Female's underparts are light brown with a few fine black shaft streaks and other lines. Juveniles resemble females, but the underparts are greyish with white shaft streaks and black dots.
Distribution
Mexico and United States. More specifically, uplands of southwest USA and Mexico; Sierra Madre Occidental and Oriental, including Maderas del Carmen (Coahuila).
Taxonomy
The southern populations are sometimes considered a separate species, Cyrtonyx sallei. On the other hand, the Montezuma Quail is sometimes considered conspecific with the very similar Ocellated Quail, Cyrtonyx ocellatus, which replaces it from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to northern Nicaragua.
Habitat
Open woods, with grass at least 30 cm (1 foot) tall.
Behaviour
A secretive bird that travels in small mixed gender coveys, typically on dry hillsides where there is plenty of grass to provide cover. Prefers to stay on the ground; flies only when alarmed. Diet includes insects and plants.
The nest is a grass dome with one entrance. 6-12 chalk-white eggs are laid and incubated for about 25 days.
