Home»Gallery»Portola Valley Ranch, Windy Hill, Etc.»9/18/2025 Quails Take to the Tree

Startled by a passing hiker, or just naturally skittish, a covey of California Quail explodes from the ground in a whirr of wingbeats; they take refuge in a young lichen-covered Blue Oak. Here are a patriarch with cocky feather cap and white detailing around his face; a younger male, his top feathers a bit ragged and the white detailing not quite finished; and a plump female, possibly on the young side – the rest of the covey hides nearby. Not quite at home up here, they settle themselves eventually, and wait until the all-clear sounds. An oblivious hiker passes by. Then they are back to browsing for small seeds or insects from the trail.