About Callipepla gambelii (Gambel, 1843)
Callipepla gambelii, commonly called Gambel's quail, are easily recognizable by their head topknots and scaly plumage on their undersides. Most of their bodies have bluish-gray plumage. Males have copper-colored feathers on the tops of their heads, black faces, and white stripes above their eyes. On average, these birds measure 11 inches (28 cm) in length, with a wingspan ranging from 14 to 16 inches (36 to 41 cm). They have relatively short, rounded wings, and long, featherless legs. Their diet is primarily made up of plant matter and seeds. Gambel's quail are often confused with California quail because of their similar plumage. The two species can usually be told apart by their different ranges; when range does not work for identification, California quail have a more strongly scaly overall appearance, and male California quail lack the black lower breast patch that male Gambel's quail have. These two species are sister taxa that diverged between 1 and 2 million years ago, during the Late Pliocene or Early Pleistocene.
