# Quail (*Coturnix coturnix*)

> A quail is a small, plump ground-dwelling bird with mottled brown camouflage plumage, found in grasslands and farmland worldwide. The common quail is migratory and famous for its distinctive three-note call. Quails feed on seeds and insects, nest on the ground, and usually live 3 to 5 years.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Grasslands and farmland across Europe and Asia, migrating to Africa and southern Asia for winter.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/quail/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Galliformes
- **Family:** Phasianidae
- **Genus:** Coturnix

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Coturnix coturnix |
| Diet | Omnivore (seeds and insects) |
| Habitat | Grassland, meadows, and farmland |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Weight | 70–140 g (2.5–5 oz) |
| Top speed | Fast, low, whirring flight |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Small, round, and hidden

Quails are small, rounded birds that spend most of their lives on the ground, relying on streaky brown plumage to vanish into grass and crops. They prefer to run or crouch rather than fly, and when flushed they burst into a fast, low, whirring flight before dropping back into cover.

## Calls and breeding

The common quail is heard far more often than seen. Males give a distinctive repeated three-note call to attract mates across fields of tall grass. Females nest in a simple scrape on the ground and can lay large clutches, with chicks able to walk and feed soon after hatching.

## Migration and diet

Unusually for such a small game bird, the common quail is a long-distance migrant, traveling between Europe and Asia and wintering in Africa and southern Asia. Quails are omnivores that eat seeds, grain, and insects, foraging by scratching and pecking at the ground.

## Quails and people

Quails have been kept and hunted by people for thousands of years, and domesticated quail are raised worldwide for eggs and meat. Wild common quail remain widespread and are listed as Least Concern, though changes in farming affect their numbers.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does a quail look like?

A quail is a small, plump ground bird with short legs and mottled brown plumage that provides excellent camouflage in grass and crops.

### Can quails fly?

Yes, but quails prefer to run and hide. When startled they make a fast, low, whirring flight over a short distance before dropping back into cover.

### What do quails eat?

Quails are omnivores that feed on seeds, grain, and insects, foraging on the ground by pecking and scratching.

### Where do quails live?

Quails live in grasslands, meadows, and farmland. The common quail breeds across Europe and Asia and migrates to Africa and southern Asia for winter.

### Are quails endangered?

The common quail is listed as Least Concern and remains widespread, though intensive farming can reduce local populations.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Coturnix coturnix.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Coturnix%20coturnix&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Coturnix coturnix. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Coturnix_coturnix/)
- [Wikipedia — Quail.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_quail)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/quail/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.