Grouse/quail-type bird ID please

Factual Questions
1

I’m in Colorado Springs at the moment, and I’ve got some birds in the backyard I’d like to know about.

I checked a Colorado bird guide as well as an Audubon North American bird guide but nothing quite matches the head plumage of these guys/gals.

A local wildlife place (without seeing pics) suggested maybe they’re California Grouse, and maybe all females, and probably escapees from some local hunter who raises them.

I googled California Grouse/quail and didn’t see anything like it. These birds aren’t as colorful as your more popular grouse & quail.

Pics:





There are two (a pair?) that come to the yard pretty much every day. Once in awhile, they’re joined by one or two more pairs.

I hope those links work.

2

They look like scaled quail to me.

3

Seconded.

4

Thirded, and they are most likely wild, as Colorado Springs area has typical habitat (arid prairie) for them.

5

Thanks Jayjay, that looks exactly right. The sound recording was an exact match as well. They seem to vocalize a lot and I often hear them before seeing them.

I just rechecked the Audubon guide and they are in there. Time to go see the eye doctor.

6

When we lived in Arizona we’d often see the Gambel’s Quail around the golf course we lived on. When we’d hike into south mountain preserve theywere everywhere. You’d hear their little chirps all the time. Everyonce in a while our Rhody [rhodesian ridgeback] would surprise a group of these and race after them. He caught one once - near the 9th hole at Phantom Horse Golf Club…it was messy. :smiley:

7

I agree with the ID. Nice sighting.