Quail sighting... What the!!

[8SteelTown]

While out scouting in SW Riverside county the other day, I was in an area DFW reported as "quail huntable land". Never seen quail there, just tons of coyote scat. Doubled back around this area and a covey of quail ran right in front of my truck. They were about 20 feet away. BIG males and good size females. My quandary was they were black, like jet black. They looked almost oily and shiny like a duck. They were for sure quail. I saw the dingleberry hangin off the males. Any idea what type these were? I've seen nothing remotely close online.

 

[motorhead]

I am going to make a guess and say there were Mountain Quail they are bigger than Valley quail and the top feather(dingleberry) is a quite a bit taller than valleys, Mtn Quail that I have taken in the past were dark kinda Charcoal colored. Was that what you might have seen?

 

[8SteelTown]

I thought they were Mtn too but they were almost all blak and not just the top half like I've typically seen. Ill have to get one when the season comes around.

 

[motorhead]

yeh' maybe check with the local FW and ask if they are aware of any variations of the Mtn Quail. I still put my money on mtn quail as you described.

 

[Sdbirds]

If the Plumas straight it was a mountain. They are bigger but they travel much farther. Just cause you see them there now Doesn't mean they'll be there in season

 

[8SteelTown]

If the Plumas straight it was a mountain. They are bigger but they travel much farther. Just cause you see them there now Doesn't mean they'll be there in season

The Plumas weren't straight. They were curled over like a Valley. I've never seen one like this and I got a good view of them. Copy on the travel patterns. Ill just have to be prepared to take a pic / shot if I see one again.

 

[Sdbirds]

Could have been gambles I've noticed there alittle bigger. Black spot on the belly?

 

[8SteelTown]

I only saw the sides and backs as they went across the path in front of me. Ill post a pic next time I scout the area if I can find one.