Mountain Quail Eggs

[Ntsees]

I had someone ask me if our Mountain Quail are Coastal or Sierra...
Im a big dummy, and just dont know. I have heard of both sub-species. Is there any easy way to tell? I've been trying the internet, but no luck yet. Is there a visual difference, or is it just where they came from? I contacted the different people we bought quail from, but no answer yet as to our birds history.
We well a few eggs on ebay, and I hate not knowing more info on such expensive little eggs. Maybe I shouldn't list any more eggs if I dont know more...

Any help or comments are greatly appreciated!!
Marcie

If someone asks you which subspecies they are, you can tell them that they are a mixture of some or all of the subspecies (there are more subspecies than just coastal and Sierra). From what I read online in the past and the present (because I like mountain quail and want to know everything about them), people care a lot about "finding a different bloodline" to make their birds genetically stronger because they perceive that it may be a way to increase their hatch rate, way to fix their genetic defects, etc. It does fix those problems, but guess what? The result of that "mentality" led to the mixing of the mountain quail from different localities (the mixing of the different subspecies). The link I've attached will give you a brief description of each of the subspecies: http://www.prbo.org/calpif/htmldocs/species/scrub/mountain_quail.htm

...or if you want a little more in-depth info of the subspecies:
https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/condor/v039n01/p0020-p0024.pdf

Feel free not to respond to this, but what's your seller name on ebay?

 

[birdy old man]

perfect info -extremely helpful! thank you so much. And it makes sense, because everyone (including us) want different bloodlines. So of course, they are all mixed up by now.
we are "eggcetera" on ebay. we would love to trade mountain eggs, too.
You are so nice to help me understand this. I really appreciate your time and knowledge.
Marcie

 

[Ntsees]

No problem.

 

[pheasantfreak]

I'm in preston idaho and interested in some mountain and valley eggs if you still have some

 

[birdy old man]

Hi bird-friend in Preston, ID. I just sent you a private message. my hubby may actually going to Pocatello in a week or two, if that helps.

 

[idtstudent]

Birdy old man.
I'm in Tooele and looking for hatching eggs for mountain, valley, and gambel quail. I'd love to come by and check out your set up. Pm me and lets get together, thanks

 

[Ntsees]

... looking for hatching eggs for mountain, valley, and gambel quail....

As an fyi, they normally lay their eggs only in the spring. The only thing you'll find at this time period are adults/young birds.