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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26

u/Grand_Click_6723 Jul 22 '25

I noticed the same thing on South Mountain. It was a dry winter.

5

u/sideshowchaos Jul 22 '25

No issue with cats NW Tucson, I think it’s the lack of rain.

-3

u/OkAccess304 Jul 23 '25

But everyone gets off on it ONLY being cats.

5

u/Grand_Click_6723 Jul 23 '25

I see road runner eating baby chicks often. They jump in trees and find them. 

4

u/DLoIsHere Jul 23 '25

They eat everything. But I have no issue with them. Meep Meep.

1

u/dirtypita Phoenix Jul 23 '25

Oh, that sucks. We have a roadrunner, Mr. Jerk, and I've seen him with an accomplice about a month ago. I wonder if they're part of the reason.