Monterey has California quail! How do I find more?

[Fishkeeper]

I'm in Monterey for a vacation, and right as we were pulling up to the house we're staying at, a pair of California quail ran right across the road in front of us. They were adorable, but I didn't get any photos. How do I find more? Do they like to hang around under shrubbery, scratch in sand dunes? We're 2 blocks from the ocean, I wouldn't have expected to see quail this close.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi.

Do you normally live in California?

I see them in my back yard on occasion... they are pretty cute!

Sorry I don't know how to find more, but I do believe they are ground dwelling. And if you wish to keep any, I think you have to have a permit for native species.


Wildlife is sooo cool! Glad you are experiencing some of it.

 

[Fishkeeper]

I'm just in Monterey for a week-long vacation, though I hope to move here eventually.

I've been hearing them in the mornings. They peep really loudly in mid-flight. Some were on the roof earlier, trotting around, but flew off when they saw me. I forgot that wild quail fly, and not just like chickens. These lil guys get some serious speed to 'em! They're flying around between the tiny backyards, scratching around, then vanish when the sun goes up a bit further.

 

[Zinjifrah]

They like to have cover, so look for them where there's brush they can hide under. The males I frequently see on top of fence posts, keeping watch. A while back I had one try to go for a ride with me... I'd just put the window up on my truck, and one flying across the road ran smack into the driver's side window. Ten seconds earlier it would have been in the cab, in my face. I'd rather not get that close to one unexpectedly! Fortunately, it deflected off the window, landed, and ran off... hopefully just fine. They are absurdly cute, especially when they have a swarm of tiny chicks along.