California quail

American  

[kal-uh-fawrn-yuh kweyl, -fawr-nee-uh] / ˌkæl əˈfɔrn yə ˌkweɪl, -ˈfɔr ni ə /

noun

1. a grayish-brown, slightly bluish true quail, Callipepla californica, with a distinctive forward-curving plume, or topknot: inhabiting woodlands and shrubby areas of western North America, it is often confused with the Gambel's quail, but the California quail has a somewhat shorter topknot and, on the male, a dark brown cap.

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Etymology

Origin of California quail

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

The species that were observed more frequently included three types of warblers, cedar waxwing, spotted towhee and California quail.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 6, 2021

He delighted in feeding the California quail, peacocks, blue jays — and foxes in the evenings.

From New York Times • Aug. 31, 2020

And what about the California quail, the state bird, running for cover at a pace slower than that of the advancing fire?

From Washington Post • Nov. 16, 2018

Mice and California quail feed on newly exposed seeds on the ashen ground, and they are hunted by owls and hawks.

From Slate • Nov. 14, 2018

The beauty of the California quail is especially striking to one who sees them for the first time.

From Death Valley in '49 by Manly, William Lewis