Common Quail

Identification

The common quail is a small, compact game bird measuring 16–18 cm in length with a wingspan of 32–35 cm and weighing between 70 and 140 grams. Unlike most gamebirds, it has notably long wings—an adaptation to its migratory lifestyle. The plumage is streaked brown with a distinctive white eyestripe; males additionally display a white chin. Females are generally slightly heavier than males. The species should not be confused with the Japanese quail, which is visually similar but has a distinctly different call.

Range & Habitat

The common quail is a strongly migratory species, breeding throughout the western Palearctic from Europe and northwest Africa eastward to Mongolia and northern India. It winters in Africa and southern India. It is widespread across Europe and North Africa and is classified by the IUCN as "least concern." The species is terrestrial, preferring open ground where it can feed among crops and vegetation. It is notoriously difficult to observe, as it keeps hidden in crops, is reluctant to fly, and prefers to creep away when disturbed. Even when flushed, it remains low and quickly drops back into cover.

Behaviour & Diet

The common quail feeds on seeds—including weed seeds and cereal gleanings—as well as insects such as beetles, true bugs, ants, earwigs, and orthopterans, along with their larvae. Males are more often heard than seen, producing a characteristic call of three repeated chirps uttered in quick succession, mostly during mornings, evenings, and sometimes at night. This distinctive "wet-my-lips" repetitive song is often the only indication of the bird's presence.

During breeding season in northern Europe, egg-laying begins from mid-May and can continue until the end of August with repeat clutches. The female creates a shallow ground scrape 7–13.5 cm in diameter and lays 8 to 13 eggs at 24-hour intervals. Eggs incubate for 17–20 days and hatch synchronously. The precocial young leave the nest shortly after hatching and can feed themselves, though the female broods them initially. Young fledge around 19 days of age and typically first breed when one year old.

Best Time & Places to See It

The best opportunity to locate common quails is during the breeding season in spring and early summer, particularly from mid-May through August across Europe and North Africa. Listen for males calling during dawn and dusk, and at night—this acoustic approach is often more productive than attempting visual observation. The Mediterranean region, particularly along migration routes in autumn, offers chances to encounter the species, though it is heavily hunted in these areas. Patience and keen hearing are essential for successful encounters with this elusive bird.

Photography Tips

Photographing common quails presents a significant challenge due to their cryptic nature and reluctance to flush. Focus on capturing the bird's calls and behavior rather than relying on direct sightings. Early morning and evening light will reveal the plumage details—the streaked brown coloration, white eyestripe, and male's white chin—more effectively. If you do flush a bird, photograph it during its low, rapid flight before it drops back into cover. Patience, a long lens, and knowledge of the bird's preferred habitat in cereals and grasslands will improve your chances of obtaining images of this elusive species.