Gambel’s Quail

Desert-scrub bird of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Texas, and nearby Mexico. Males wear a black topknot, rusty crown, black face, gray-brown back, and a yellow belly with a black spot. Hens have a smaller plume and lack the black face and belly spot.

Winter coveys break up in spring as males hold territory. Eggs incubate about 22 days.

Incubation: Forced-air 99.5°F or still-air 102°F. About 60% humidity for the first 20 days, then near 75% for hatch. Turn at least three times daily. Stop turning on day 21.