Adopt me! Your contribution helps provide my food, toys, and medical care. I'll stay at the Museum, and you'll get a photo of me and a certificate as reminders of your generosity. We'll also list your name on a placard at the Museum. Check out our adoption section and see all of our adoption levels.

California Quail
Callipepla californica

History
Frank, the male quail, was originally collected by the Presidio Trust in order to start a captive breeding program at the San Francisco Zoo, but the program was placed on hold due to lack of space and funding. He was transferred to the Museum with the hope that he could have a female quail companion. We will be working closely with the Presidio Trust and the San Francisco Zoo in order to bring in the proper genetic match to begin the breeding program.

Laverne, the female quail, came to the Museum from the animal rehabilitation center at Wildcare in Marin. She was illegally taken from the wild as an egg, and she was released into an elementary school yard. She started following the children around the yard, so concerned citizens brought her to the rehabilitation center. Because she was hatched and raised by humans she is imprinted and is unable to survive in the wild. 

Diet in Wild
Seeds and leaves are its primary diet, but it will also eat berries and insects.

Diet at Museum
Fruits and vegetables

Life Span
In the Wild: up to 5 years
In Captivity: up to 7-9 years

Habitat
They are found in a variety of habitats, including: open woodlands, brushy foothills, desert washes, the forest edge, chaparral, stream valleys, agricultural areas, suburbs.

Geographic Range
Southern Oregon to Baja California, east into parts of Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, and Utah, and north into British Columbia

Conservation Status
No special status, although in San Francisco they are almost extinct