Anatomy: The California Quail is 9-10 inches (23-25.5 cm) long. It has a short, black bill. The quail has a tall, forward-pointing head plume. The flanks (sides) are brown with white streaks. The male has a black throat and a black face bordered by a white streak; there is also a white forehead. The female is duller and lacks the distinctive head markings.

Diet: This birds mostly eats seeds and leaves. It will also eat insects.

Nest and Eggs: The California Quail's nest is a simple scrape in the ground, lined with grass and leaves. Eggs are cream-colored with brown marking; females lay 6-17 eggs in each clutch (a set of eggs laid at one time).