Gambel's Quail
Callipepla gambelii
Montezuma Quail
Cyrtonyx montezumae
The Montezuma quail is a compact quail species with a distinctive appearance. The male has an eye-catching black-and-white pattern on his face, while the female is more discreet in colour.
The species is fairly uncommon in Norwegian hobby farming, and is found to a limited extent elsewhere in Europe.
In its natural habitat in North and Central America, it lives in dense vegetation and is known to stay well hidden.
Both sexes have powerful claws that are used to dig for roots and insects.
Montezuma quail tend to live in small groups, but form pairs during the breeding season. The female lays the nest on the ground and takes care of the incubation alone, while the male stays nearby.
Litters can be relatively large, often containing ten or more eggs.
Fact Sheet
- Scientific name
- Cyrtonyx montezumae
- Official Norwegian name
- Aztekvaktel
- Official English name
- Montezuma Quail
- Also known as
- Mearns' Quail
- Incubation period
- Approx. 24-26 days
- Lifespan in the wild
- Approx. 1-2 years*
- Lifespan in captivity
- Approx. 5-6 years*
*Lifespan is influenced by many factors such as genetics, environment, feed and care. Consider this a guideline, not a definitive answer.
