An elegantly streamlined and colorful quail of western mountains. Adult has bold white vertical bars on flanks, overlaid on deep chestnut belly and sides, orange undertail coverts, brownish-gray upperparts, clean gray head and breast, burgundy-red throat with white outline, short legs and tail, and long, thin, straight plume rising vertically from forehead.

Length: 28 (cm) Wingspan: 41 (cm)

Voice:

Song is a loud, resounding two-note kwee-ark accented on the first syllable, often heard in early morning from mountain hillsides; also clucking and single notes in series.

Habitat:

Scrubby growth, regenerating clearcuts, brushy areas; usually at mid- to high elevations, but down to sea level in some areas.

Behavior:

Typically found in pairs (summer) or small coveys (winter). Somewhat secretive; heard more often than seen. Often runs into the brush rather than flying when startled. Nest is a scrape lined with fine vegetation, hidden among rotten logs or upright grasses.

Feeding:

Forages on ground, pecking at seeds, grains, insects, buds, leaves, and some flowers.