California Quail Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Song
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California, April 25, 2020Recorded by Paul Fenwick / Macaulay Library
Song
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California, April 03, 2020Recorded by Bob Hasenick / Macaulay Library
Duet
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California, April 29, 1991Recorded by Geoffrey A. Keller / Macaulay Library
Calls
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California, May 10, 1991Recorded by Geoffrey A. Keller / Macaulay Library
Calls
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California, June 29, 2019Recorded by Bruce Rideout / Macaulay Library
Calls
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California, November 24, 2019Recorded by Bruce Rideout / Macaulay Library
Calls
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California, March 18, 2000Recorded by Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay Library

Sounds provided by Macaulay Library.
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive.

Calls

The California Quail’s main call consists of three syllables and sounds like the bird is saying Chi-ca-go. It’s usually given when an individual is separated from its group or mate, as well as while a covey is on the move or preparing to move. The call lasts about 1 second and can be given 10 times or more in succession. California Quail use a repeated pit-pit alarm call to alert covey members of nearby danger. Mated California Quail pairs call antiphonally: the male makes short, shrill notes in time with the female’s Chi-ca-go call.