California quail

[ kal-uh-fawrn-yuh kweyl, -fawr-nee-uh ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of California quail¹

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

Reducing noise might allow other noise-sensitive bird species, such as California quail, to return to cities where they once sang.

From Science Magazine

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

From New York Times

The California quail, often seen strutting around the state’s suburbs and parks, could lose 87 percent of its winter range in California.

From New York Times

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