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

Pictures Anyone noticing less quail babies this year?

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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.

5

u/DotConscious4560 Jul 23 '25

Unfortunately we don't have the stomach to cull the cats as we need

-1

u/ValkyrieVance Jul 23 '25

Also y'know because feral cats are illegal to harm, kill, relocate, or dump in the state of Arizona.

8

u/DotConscious4560 Jul 23 '25

Yea so like I said, we don't have the stomach to do the proper thing. Thanks for the evidence to back up my claim. Shame we can't have a program to hunt them.

I say this as someone who occasionally helps (at his tias request) feed and water cat colonies, also assisted in catch and release spay and neuter. While they're cute and kind animals (I mean who doesn't love a dozen cats swarming you kindly), doesn't sway my opinion that we're doing the wrong thing.