Gambel's Quail
Callipepla gambelii
Scaled Quail
Callipepla squamata
The Scaled quail has striking plumage with light blue/grey tones and a "shell pattern" on its chest and back. Both the Norwegian and English names refer to this scale pattern.
Both sexes have a white "cotton top" on their heads, which some people refer to as the "Cotton Top Quail".
For quail enthusiasts, it is exciting to know about, but it is rare outside North America, where it lives naturally.
Scaled quail are fairly uncommon in hobby keeping in Norway and are mainly kept by more experienced enthusiasts. Internationally, it is better known in hunting circles than among people who keep quail as a hobby.
They live in flocks, but form pairs during the breeding season. It is usually the female who does the incubation, and the male stays close by and guards the territory.
Fact Sheet
- Scientific name
- Callipepla squamata
- Official Norwegian name
- Skjellvaktel
- Official English name
- Scaled Quail
- Also known as
- Cottontop Quail
- Incubation period
- Approx. 22-23 days
- Lifespan in the wild
- Approx. 1-2 years*
- Lifespan in captivity
- Approx. 5-7 years*
*Lifespan is influenced by many factors such as genetics, environment, feed and care. Consider this a guideline, not a definitive answer.
