Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae)

Montezuma Quail are fairly common, rarely encountered residents throughout the Sky Islands of southeast Arizona. Their range is from east-central and southeast Arizona, southern New Mexico, and west-central Texas south into the interior of western Mexico. They prefer the grass-oak woodland habitat of the Sky Island mountain ranges. They also wander into riparian areas in search of water and out on to open grasslands to forage. The diet of the Montezuma Quail consists of mostly of plant matter; seeds (including acorns), tubers, grass shoots, and buds. When available, insects are taken to supplement the quail�s diet. As with many birds of the desert southwest, the breeding season of the Montezuma Quail coincides with the summer monsoon rains. Though the chicks are able to feed themselves almost immediately after hatching, they stay with the parents as they grow to adult size. Through the fall and winter, conveys of Montezuma Quail family groups forage together. By late spring, the young disperse leaving the adults to start the cycle over again. The combination of behavior and plumage make the Montezuma Quail frustratingly difficult to find. When a threat is perceived, this quail freezes. When the quail freezes, their plumage blends in with a variety of backgrounds, making them nearly invisible. Given sufficient cover, they may quietly sneak away. Usually only at the last moment, just before being stepped on, does this quail flush.

Image to the right: MTQU_2008_8601
February 17, 2009 Ramanote Canyon, Santa Cruz County, AZ

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