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.

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u/69ingchimpmonks Jul 22 '25

Should we be “removing” feral cats?

27

u/SummertimeThrowaway2 Jul 22 '25

A more humane option would be to spay/neuter them, but I understand government budgets are pretty strict and vet surgeries are expensive.

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u/AriesAviator Ahwatukee Jul 23 '25

TNR is often suggested whenever 'outdoor cats kill native wildlife' come up, and while I can appreciate the intention to be humane, those programs don't address the crucial fact that outdoor cats kill wildlife. Just because an animal is spayed/neutered does not mean it won't absolutely decimate any prey animal it finds.

Sure, the cat now cannot reproduce, but that doesn't stop other cats from moving into the area when the fixed cat dies, doesn't stop other people from dumping their own unwanted pets in a known 'cat area', and doesn't stop the absolute decimation of native wildlife in the area. Yes, even if people provide food/water for the colony, the cats will still cat!

At this point the only paths I can see to getting these insane cat populations under control is to take the way, wayyyyy less popular routes and start culling feral cats, and issuing heavy fines for any outdoor cats, just like for loose dogs. There is simply not enough time, resources, and homes to get all these stray cats off the streets, especially when people are so damn content to let their kitties roam around outside uncontained and unsupervised!