Montezuma Quail
Credit: sfitzgerald

North American field guide

Montezuma Quail

Cyrtonyx montezumae

Also known as:Harlequin Quail, Mearns's Quail, Fool Quail

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Identification

Field notes

22 cm (9") Fairly common. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas. Open woodland slopes.

Male: plump short tailed round winged bird. Dark below with spotted sides. Distinctive black and white facial pattern. Song: loud descending whinny.

Female: dull brown plump short tailed rounded winged quail.

Was called Harlequin Quail.

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Videos

2 videos
Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Montezuma Quail (Female)

1 rule
Rule 1 9 criteria confidence 3
What SIZE was the TAIL ?
Very short · Unknown
What colour was the SIDE ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Conical and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Chicken-like ground bird
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Southwestern United States
result:296-montezuma-quail-female:1:1 Source: 296 Montezuma Quail (Female), row 1

Montezuma Quail (Male)

1 rule
Rule 1 10 criteria confidence 3
What SIZE was the TAIL ?
Very short · Unknown
What colour was the SIDE ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Conical and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Very short · Short · Unknown
What were the EYE markings if any ?
Light RING (white or yellow) AROUND the eye · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Chicken-like ground bird
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Southwestern United States