What is a Group of Quail Called?

Quails are small and charming birds that belong to two different families, called Phasianidae and Odontophoridae. There are more than 40 species of quails spread across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. These birds usually stay close to the ground and can be a bit timid. So, what do you call a bunch of quails when they’re together?

The most common names for a group of quails are a “flock,” a “bevy,” and a “covey” of quails. While “flock” is a general term for groups of birds, “bevy” and “covey” are more specific. “Covey” is an old word that refers to a group of small game birds, which includes quails and partridges. “Bevy” is also an old term used for groups of birds, especially quails.

Interestingly, quails in the Odontophoridae family, like the Northern bobwhite, aren’t closely related to quails in the Phasianidae family, even though they look very similar!

Although quails are typically shy, some exceptions exist. Despite spending most of their time on the ground, quails are often migratory birds, and they are the only gamebirds that migrate. If you’d like to know more about these adorable and compact birds, keep reading!

Additional collective nouns for quail include

• Bevy
• Battery
• Drift
• Shake
• Flush
• Rout
• Queer
• Bunch
• Plump
• Knob
• Trip
• Run

Here, we have two interesting things related to quails: a “wagering” and “revenge” of quails. A “wagering” of Gambel’s quails might sound similar to “gamble” because “Gambel” sounds like the word “gamble.”

Now, there are Montezuma quails found in Mexico, named after the Aztec emperors with the same name. “Montezuma’s Revenge” was a video game in 1984 for Atari consoles. It’s also a term used in Mexico for a stomach problem like “Delhi belly,” which includes bloating, gas, and diarrhea that happens when eating unfamiliar food.

Do quails like to be together in groups?

Most quail species are usually on their own and spend most of their time alone or with their mate. However, some quails enjoy being in groups.

For instance, Common quails are mainly solitary birds. They only occasionally come together to eat. The Old World or “true quails” from the Phasianidae family are typically monogamous, forming strong lifelong pairs. Once they find a mate, they usually do everything together.

California quails are quite social. They gather in small groups of 10 to 30 birds, foraging and even taking communal dust baths together. King quails are also sociable, forming small groups. During the breeding season, Bobwhite quails can come together in large flocks, sometimes with hundreds of birds. They are one of the few quail species that are polygamous and polyandrous.

Japanese quails spend much of the year with their mates and form flocks of around 20 birds. Some quail species, like Gambel’s quail, even form family flocks with parents and young birds from multiple families.

Jungle quails are another example. They spend a lot of time in groups of 10 to 25 birds. So, quails are not always solitary, even though they are often thought of that way.

Also Read: What is a Group of Turkey Called?

Why do quails gather in big groups?

Quails come together in groups for two main reasons: to find food and to mate. During the breeding season, some quails that haven’t found a mate yet gather in groups to find one. However, once they form a pair, they usually stay away from big flocks.

Quails are not naturally very social, but some species come together to search for food. For example, in the spring and summer, Gambel’s quails become more social, especially in the morning and at dusk when they come together in larger groups to feed.

Jungle quails are another social species that form groups of 8 to 25 birds. They move through the undergrowth, foraging together during dawn and dusk. In the evening, these groups split up and go their separate ways before regrouping the next day. Many quail species can be flexible, switching between solitary and group living.

How many quails are in a group?

Japanese, Jungle, and Gambel’s quails form groups of about 10 to 30 birds. Bobwhites can gather in even larger groups, sometimes around 100 birds during specific times of the year.

Normally, quail groups are relatively small. Throughout the breeding season and summer, quail pairs that have mated prefer spending time away from the larger group, both before and after they breed and nest.

Do quail families stick together?

Most types of quails are monogamous, meaning they mate for life. Quail pairs build strong bonds and do most things together. Female quails can lay large clutches of eggs, sometimes as many as 16, so quail families can be quite big!

The female usually takes care of the chicks, but the male helps with feeding. Quail chicks don’t fly for about 40 to 50 days, and they might stay close to their parents for the entire year until they become adults.

Sometimes, quails form larger family groups. Japanese, Jungle, and King quails can create small flocks with parents and chicks from different families. Certain New World quails from the Odontophoridae family also combine their broods, meaning different mothers look after each other’s chicks.

Do all quails stay in groups?

Most quails are loners. For instance, the Common quail is usually alone throughout the year, sticking with its mated pair. However, many quail species can join small groups when they’re feeding. They like to stay somewhat connected to other quails.

It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean solitary quails make good pets. While quails aren’t always social, they generally prefer to be with at least one other bird. Pet quails tend to be happier when part of a small flock and might get lonely when kept alone.

What’s the name of a pair of quails?

There isn’t a special name for a pair of quails. Most “true quails” from the Phasianidae family are monogamous, which means they mate for life.

Quail pairs that mate for life form strong bonds. They do nearly everything together, foraging during the day and sleeping in the same roost at night. While the female takes care of most of the brooding duties, both parents usually help raise the chicks.

What’s a group of baby quails called?

There isn’t a specific name for a group of baby quails. Quails can have a lot of chicks, sometimes as many as 15 or 16, which is quite a few.

When baby quails hatch, they are tiny and stay very close to their mother for up to 50 days. Some quail species might form flocks that include chicks from different families. Occasionally, broods may come together as one, or baby quails might be taken care of by other mothers.

Do quails fly in groups?

Many quail species are actually quite good at flying, even though they might not appear that way. Quails have relatively long and strong wings, so they are capable of flying, even if they don’t do it often.

Common quails, for example, breed in parts of Europe and Central Asia and then fly down to Africa, the Middle East, and India for the winter. Quails are among the few gamebirds that truly migrate.

During migration, quails typically fly in small groups of about 10 to 30 birds.

How many quail should you keep together?

Groups of around 30 quails can coexist without too many problems, but it depends on the keeper’s experience and the species and temperament of the birds.

While many quail species come together in flocks at various times of the year, they also need their own space, especially during the breeding season.

In the USA, the Bobwhite quail is a popular species to keep, while the Common quail is common in the UK and much of Europe. Some people also keep King quails as pets.

If possible, it’s best to raise quails together as a flock from the start. Introducing new quails to an established group can be risky, as the existing flock might attack the newcomers. Generally, it’s recommended to keep fewer males than females, with about one male for every three females.

For those who are new to raising quails, starting with a smaller number, like five or six quails, is a good idea.