9x12 Oil on Brown Walnut
 
Different from the eastern bobwhite, this California quail has a distinctive teardrop-shaped plume made of 6 feathers that bob as he walks.  He lives in woodlands, valleys and suburbs, but always close to water. Gregarious, he joins large coveys in fall and winter, then each spring he joins his mate and their nest may have as many as 28 eggs.  Some females "egg dump" where they lay eggs in each other's nests. Predators, such as bobcats, coyotes, great horned owls and even snakes enjoy a quail meal.