Incredible Quail Facts

Quails can become Poisonous

One of the most fascinating (and slightly scary) things about quails is that they sometimes eat poisonous plants such as hemlock or hellebore. Although the quails can eat these plants with no ill effects to themselves, they manage to store the toxins within themselves, which taints their meat. Therefore, when people eat their meat, they become poisoned by them. This is known as “coturnism” and causes the breakdown of muscle cells as well as muscle tenderness. Incredibly, it is most often migrating quails that are poisonous, with the most cases being reported during migration season.

Not all Quails Migrate

As we mentioned earlier, some species of quail are more capable of flying than others, and these are the ones that migrate. Not all quails migrate, and common quails are one of the better-known species of migratory quails. Some species of quail migrate south to Africa for the winter and then return north to Europe for the spring and summer breeding season, while others stay put in their resident locations all year round.

Quails Nest on the Ground

Quail are known as ground-dwelling birds, and they nest on the ground. They typically nest in grasslands and fields in areas with plenty of vegetation for cover, although sometimes they can be underneath bushes. The nests are usually just a shallow depression in the ground which is around 5 to 7 inches wide and is lined with grass, leaves, and twigs. Most clutches contain 12 to 16 eggs, and they can rear two broods per year.

Quails can Fly at 40mph

Incredibly, quails can fly at speeds of up to 40mph. However, although some species are migratory, most can only fly for short distances of approximately 100 yards. Usually, this short but fast flight is used to escape predators or to reach a roost. However, in some cases, they prefer to first run and hide when threatened and only break into a flight when they have no option.

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Quails have a Distinctive Sound

Quails are extremely shy birds, and it is more common to hear them than to see them. Most quails have a very distinctive sound which is known as “wet-my-lips.” Their call tends to sound like “sip-sip-sip” or “whit-whit-whit.” The best time to hear a quail is in the early morning and evening.

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There are Two Groups of Quail, but they’re not Closely Related

There are approximately 130 species of quail alive today, and they are divided into two groups – Old World and New World. Old World quails are members of the family group Phasianidae and are native to Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, and New Zealand. Phasianidae is known as the pheasant family and includes pheasants, partridges, chickens, and turkeys. New World quails are the sole members of the family group Odontophoridae and are native to the Americas. Although members of both groups are classed as quails, they are not that closely related. Instead, they are named because of the similar characteristics that they share – such as their appearance and habitat.