Usually keeping to themselves and hiding in nearby brush, California quail are not always easy to spot. Visitors of the Landmarks can often hear these birds before they see them. If you keep a good lookout and travel quietly, you might get a glimpse of a quail family crossing a trail.
Most active around sunrise and sunset, the California quail has a diet that primarily consists of grain and seeds. They have also been known to eat a variety of insects and plants. This species has adapted to living in arid environments and can get by without water, acquiring moisture from insects and succulents.
Quail can often be seen walking along the trails of the Landmarks with images captured through IRC’s wildlife camera trap system. With the California quail relying heavily on native plant communities, Irvine Ranch Conservancy continuously monitors local wildlife to ensure these species can thrive across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. For more information about wildlife on the Landmarks, visit IRConservancy.org.