Quote: You may be right. The reasoning behind needing a license for New World quail is not only is it illegal to keep any of our Native wildlife without a license and that many times these birds are released into the wild. This could potentially pose a thread to our Native species of wild birds so the Fish and Game dept likes to know you are keeping Native birds in this country. Hence, GENERALLY Coturnix, not being a native breed are not on this list that require a license. HOWEVER, each county has different regulations on poultry and in your state, it may be required.