California designated the California valley quail as official state bird in 1931. Known for their hardiness and adaptability, the native California valley quail (Callipepla Californicus) is a plump bird, smaller than a pigeon, with a distinctive black plume on its head and a black bib with a white stripe under its beak. Other common names: California partridge, Catalina quail, Topknot quail and Valley Quail.
Coveys number from a few up to 200 in the fall and winter months, but in the spring they break into pairs. California Valley Quail nest in hollows scratched in the ground and concealed by foliage, females lay 6 to 28 eggs - creamy white thickly spotted with golden brown.
