California Quail

Tom Phillips* · 04-25-2009, 04:11 PM

California Quail

Are they properly called California quail, California valley quail, valley quail,
Lophortyx californicus, Callipepla californicus, or Callipepla californica?

Yes?

AvianQuest · 04-26-2009, 06:10 AM

All three names are in proper use, but since the California legislature used "California Valley Quail" in designating it as the official state bird in 1931, I'll go with that one.

Their closest relative is the Gambel's Quail which has a more southernly distribution and, a longer crest, brighter head and a scalier appearance. The two species separated about 1-2 million years ago, during the Late Pliocene or Early Pleistocene Period.

Tom Phillips* · 04-26-2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvianQuest

All three names are in proper use, but since the California legislature used "California Valley Quail" in designating it as the official state bird in 1931, I'll go with that one.

Dang, you are pretty hot today.

I think most orinthologists probably prefer one of the Callipepla names, but in the legislation designating this quail as California's state bird, they specify Lophortyx californicus as the scientific name.

Pretty good.

04-25-2009, 04:11 PM	#1
Tom Phillips* Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA Posts: 1,231	California Quail California Quail Are they properly called California quail, California valley quail, valley quail, Lophortyx californicus, Callipepla californicus, or Callipepla californica? Yes?

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04-26-2009, 06:10 AM	#2
AvianQuest Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston, Texas, USA Posts: 1,642	All three names are in proper use, but since the California legislature used "California Valley Quail" in designating it as the official state bird in 1931, I'll go with that one. Their closest relative is the Gambel's Quail which has a more southernly distribution and, a longer crest, brighter head and a scalier appearance. The two species separated about 1-2 million years ago, during the Late Pliocene or Early Pleistocene Period.