Is this a California Quail?

[chlskt]

So, we got this quail on CL for free and we're told it was a Gambel's quail, but after some research, we are pretty sure it is a California quail. Can we please get a confirmation on this? Thank you!!

 

[TwoCrows]

Gambels and California quail look very similar. The male Gambel has a red top and the male California has a blue/black top. Females of both species look really similar. I think the female Gambels are a bit more grey than the California.

All this being said, this bird seems to have a bit more striping on the breast, so I am going to say you are correct...it may be a California.

 

[red golden]

It looks very similar to my female valley but mine don't the white on it's wing like in the last picture.

 

[Ntsees]

It is a female California/valley quail. It appears to have leucism.

 

[chlskt]

Thank you. We suspected California/valley mainly from the scaling on the chest area that our gambel female does not have, and the small plume on the head. We didn't notice the white on the wings so I suppose we'll be looking at that more closely.