Montezuma Quail
Cyrtonyx montezumae
ORDER: Galliformes
FAMILY: Odontophoridae
Description
A rotund, secretive quail of grassy West Texas mountain slopes, the male wearing an ornate, clown-faced pattern of black-and-white swirls. It sits tight and relies on camouflage, so most encounters are a lucky flush from almost underfoot in tall grass.
Location
Lawrence E. Wood Picnic Area, Jeff Davis County, Texas
Habitat
grassy oak and pine-oak slopes
Season
year-round resident in West Texas
Size
~8.75 in / 22 cm
Diet
bulbs, seeds, insects
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Noticed these little buggers when I was approaching the picnic area. They moved pretty slowly, giving me time to grab some frames.
Nikon Z9
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400mm
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f/8
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1/500
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ISO 560
Want to see a Montezuma Quail in the wild?
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Join one of my guided birding tours!