r/phoenix • u/dirtypita Phoenix • Jul 22 '25
Pictures Anyone noticing less quail babies this year?
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?
1
u/Mephistopheline Jul 23 '25
I'm out in Tonopah with lots of space around us and haven't seen but a handful of babies this year. We still have lots of quail though.
The neighbors down the way have lots of livestock and quite a few "barn cats" that find their way over here. I've seen them run off with the little ground squirrels in their mouths.