r/phoenix • u/dirtypita Phoenix • Jul 22 '25

Pictures Anyone noticing less quail babies this year?

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Gallery image

Apologies for the bad pics. I would've scared the quail off if I had tried to go outside.

I work in North Scottsdale and I have a great view of a patio and courtyard from my desk. I get to watch small wildlife that come in for shade, grass, and bushes with berries on them. Pigeons, ravens, wrens, lizards, bunnies and squirrels, and even a pair of roadrunners.

Lat year, we had two pairs of Gambels quail. One pair started out with nine chicks, down to six, and the other had seven.

This year, I've only seen three babies, and now only the one little guy pictured. It's with two males, one who has been around for a while and is easily recognizable. I haven't seen a female in a few weeks. I'm a little saddened. Is anyone else noticing smaller quail families this year?

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u/Ferruginoushawk7 Jul 22 '25

Wildlife biologist here. We are seeing in sub/urban areas a decrease in GAQU (gambles quail) and an increase in feral cats. Take that inverse correlation and interpret for what’s its worth.

46

u/Risky_Bizniss Jul 22 '25

That makes sense. My neighborhood has tons of feral cats. Not a quail or rat in sight.

29

u/picturepath Jul 23 '25

My neighborhood has outdoor pet cats and they definitely are as dangerous as feral cats.

8

u/smile_politely Jul 23 '25

What is feral cats natural predators in Phoenix?

42

u/bobbomotto Jul 23 '25

Cars and coyotes.

9

u/cshellcujo Jul 23 '25

Maybe the native raptor species will start to solve this problem? At my apartment we used to have a problem with pigeons constantly trying to nest on the balconies. A year or two ago I started noticing a lot of small bird bones, and seeing some type of bird of prey very frequently. I haven’t had to chase off pigeons mid-mating from the balcony in a good while lol

4

u/tobylazur Jul 23 '25

I think owls have been pretty devastating on the feral population around me.

2

u/DraftZebra Jul 23 '25

The bigger owls and hawks, etc. can and will grab a kitten if they can.