Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2024-24
| Common name: |
Scaled Quail |
| Scientific name: | Callipepla squamata |
| Date: | 5/2/2024 |
| Time: | 10:20 am |
| Length of time observed: | 30 seconds |
| Number: | 2 |
| Age: | unknown |
| Sex: | unknown |
| Location: | 1-2 miles east of Bluff on highway 162 |
| County: | San Juan |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4400' |
| Distance to bird: | Initially 75 yards, final 40' while driving |
| Optical equipment: | none |
| Weather: | clear |
| Light Conditions: | good, sun behind me |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Driving west on highway 160 towards Bluff with sun behind me at 45 mph, saw a quail walking across the highway towards the river. Upright posture, brisk walk, crossed the road. Slowed to 25 mph to look closer and a second bird flushed and flew across the road to the river approximately 15 yards in front of vehicle. Rapid wing beats, barrel body. Clear view of first bird on the ground walking with distinctive buff triangular head crest and gray body. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | First bird walked quickly across the road. Second bird flushed from side of road and flew across in front of vehicle. |
| Habitat: | Birds came from arid ground leading up a steep hillside. Flushed to grassy areas heading towards the river approximately 1/8 mile away. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Gambel's Quail - these birds did not have a
teardrop shaped head plume of a Gambel's nor the rufous flanks. Northern Bobwhite Quail - these birds did not have the characteristic head pattern of a Bobwhite and had a more powerful flight. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Hunted Scaled Quail and Bobwhites in West Texas. Familiar with Gambel's from a small introduced population in La Plata County, Colorado. Have spent time photographing Scaled and Gambel's Quail from a hide. |
| References consulted: | iBird Pro app |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Kurt Hillman |
| Observer's address: | 88 Hat Creek Ct., Durango, CO 81301 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 5/12/2024 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |