What quail is better, for a "pet"? California Quail? or Bobwhite?

[clawstar]

I want a new pet quail, who will bond quickly with me. Can bobwhite perch? how about valleys? how long do California quail live? how long do bobwhite live? Are they both cold hardy? which do you prefer?

 

[ThetaSigma]

I don't think ANY true quail actually perch, but I definitely could be wrong.

 

[Ntsees]

To answer a few of your questions:

Can they bond? (requirement: having them from egg to adult is probably a must)

Are they cold hardy?

No video for bobwhite because the answer can already be found through reasoning. Bobwhite are native to the central and eastern U.S. It snows in those regions. Therefore, if bobwhite are not cold hardy, they would be extinct before people got on the continent.

Which do I prefer? Although a tame quail is nice, I prefer a wild quail.

 

[James the Bald]

I want a new pet quail, who will bond quickly with me. Can bobwhite perch? how about valleys? how long do California quail live? how long do bobwhite live? Are they both cold hardy? which do you prefer?

Here is a word of warning. I hatched out 18 bobwhites earlier this year. One of them injured it's wing, and I brought it inside to a quarantine cage. Recently, each morning between 5:30 and 6am, he crows incessantly, and he has another call around 8pm that is like "reverse" of his morning call. I absolutely love his calls, but I can't say the same for my kids. I made the mistake of giving him a name, so he'll stay out of the freezer until I determine otherwise.
I viewed the videos that Ntsees posted, and those birds must have had constant human contact from the instant they were hatched. I've tried to handle mine when they hatched, and it was similar to gator wrestling. And once those little buggers had their wings fully developed, I had to make sure I kept a lid on the brooder or they would surely find the ceiling fan. My daughter, the quail whisperer, can handle him. He'll flap his wings for several minutes, then when he see's he's not going anywhere, he stops. She won't handle him for long, as he seems very distressed. They are a wild species, and just keeping him in a cage is probably stressing him out. And as a wild species, I wouldn't recommend "snuggling" with this bird.
My daughters quail, an English white, will practically fall asleep in her hand as she strokes his head. I've come home from work several times and see him sitting on the computer desk peering at the screen as she's doing her homework. I don't think he knows he's a quail.
James

 

[Advocat]

My quail is a Gambel's, very similar to a California, and I've had him since either the day he hatched or the day after. As a baby, he was very tame and liked to cuddle in my hands, would fall asleep there. As he has grown up, he doesn't much like to cuddle -- he's very curious about things and when he is out of his cage he prefers to be "on the go", pecking this, checking that.

He will come and go from my lap and computer table, and he's hand-tame such that I can pet him and easily pick him up, he just doesn't want to stay in my hands, he'd rather sit on my shoulder. He follows me around the house, running along behind on the floor or low-flying behind me from this chair to that table, etc.

He's fun to play "keep-away" with, using a piece of string or cloth. He will also be somewhat aggressive, chasing my hand to peck it or grab it -- if I push him away, he comes right back, but I can calm him easily by directing his attention to something else.

As far as noise goes, he's not especially noisy. He often keeps up a low "queep" sound; he will crow when he hears something unfamiliar, such as when someone with whom he's not familiar comes into the house or the room, or if I am laughing or talking more loudly for some reason. He will also call -- which is fairly loud -- when I move away to where he can't see me.

I'd like him to be more "cuddly" such that he would sit in my hand and relax, and I'm working at training him to be relaxed about it by periodically picking him up and cuddling him against me, and not letting him loose when he struggles. He'll only struggle a little and then will be still for a while, I'm working to increase the "still" time.

 

[clawstar]

yah, I was thinking gambles but its cold up here and they live down south for a reason! And James, you would die if you came to my house. not only do my 3 coturnix get a 5 foot rabbit hutch, but a netted in DOG RUN! for them to "free range" inside. I manage to keep them all out side, yet they are so spoiled! none of my birdies (no matter how deformed) go to the table! and to "tame" this bird I was thinking making him an only bird who only knows people, not other quail

 

[clawstar]

where did you peeps go?

 

[ThetaSigma]

I have one button who is super tame. He was a single chick and bonded to people immediately. He doesn't know how to be a bird, but he's the best pet. He does crow sometimes, but after he hit about six months old, he stopped for the most part. I would definitely suggest getting your next bird right after he hatches. I have three in the bator right now. They're available for free, inside only though.

 

[Quail lady]

Bobwhites need their covey to survive in the cold though. They're still small birds and lose heat fairly easily.
Seems from my past surveys that female bobwhites are the snuggliest. Californians make great pets too but seem less appreciating of cuddles. However, it also seems male bobwhites can get a bit fiesty with strangers and can get a bit aggressive at times.
I lost my girl last week to a map pin she swallowed and I'm still lost and devastated hence on here trying to pass the time and fill the hideous void in my life.
If you would like to see how lovely the housequail community on instagram has been through this rough time check us out
http://instagram.com/quinctagram
I've lost many birds before, but I've never felt like this. She was really special.

 

[clawstar]

Thx quail lady, my parents made the mistake of getting me a incubator XD