Why does quail make an unusual sound when laying eggs?

[TobyTheQuail]

I've noticed that right before/after my quail lays an egg she makes a strange sound. I understand that this is a common behavior and so I am not concerned, rather just curious.

 

[shrimpsilkies]

That’s an “egg song”. The quail version of a chicken cackling when she lays an egg, normal behavior. It signals to her mate that she’s laid an egg, or also possibly wards off predators.

 

[TobyTheQuail]

That’s an “egg song”. The quail version of a chicken cackling when she lays an egg, normal behavior. It signals to her mate that she’s laid an egg, or also possibly wards off predators.

Ahh, makes sense.

 

[NY Coturnix]

my kids run to the pen when they hear it to see which hen laid the egg.

 

[TobyTheQuail]

my kids run to the pen when they hear it to see which hen laid the egg.

Oh wow. Hahahaha. I laugh because I kind of do the same thing. It's like i just have to go see if the egg is there.

 

[atecom]

My quail used to do the egg song when they laid the egg, but now days they seem to do it randomly about once a day, no relation to when an egg has been laid or not. Strange that it might be to ward off predators, I would have thought that a quail squeaking would attract predators.

 

[Quailobsessed]

Most of mine make that sound only when laying/nesting, except one, who makes it all the time.

 

[MDBird]

I miss hearing mine sing their egg songs. During warmer months I keep them closer to the house can can hear them singing in the afternoon.

 

[TobyTheQuail]

My quail used to do the egg song when they laid the egg, but now days they seem to do it randomly about once a day, no relation to when an egg has been laid or not. Strange that it might be to ward off predators, I would have thought that a quail squeaking would attract predators.

Lol. I know, right.

 

[TobyTheQuail]

I miss hearing mine sing their egg songs. During warmer months I keep them closer to the house can can hear them singing in the afternoon.

Well, I am glad to hear that those are happy noises. I thought that perhaps she was making that sound because her little butt was hurting after laying the egg. Lol.