Common Quail
VU

Common Quail

Coturnix coturnix

UnknownNTEUNTEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_quail

Overview

The common quail or European quail is a small ground-nesting game bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is mainly migratory, breeding in the western Palearctic and wintering in Africa and southern India.

The Common Quail faces significant population declines across much of its range due to intensive agricultural practices that have eliminated traditional farming methods and reduced habitat quality. Large-scale mechanized harvesting during breeding season causes direct mortality, while pesticide use reduces insect prey availability crucial for chick survival. Habitat fragmentation and loss of mixed farming landscapes have further compressed suitable breeding areas.

Threat summary

Habitat

Inhabits open grasslands, agricultural fields, meadows, and steppes with dense ground cover for nesting. Prefers mixed farming landscapes with cereals, legumes, and fallow areas that provide both nesting sites and abundant invertebrate prey.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Phasianidae

PartridgeVU

Partridge

Perdix perdix

Unknown
Rothschild's Peacock-pheasantVU

Rothschild's Peacock-pheasant

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Manchurian Eared-pheasantVU

Manchurian Eared-pheasant

Crossoptilon mantchuricum

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Dulit PartridgeVU

Dulit Partridge

Rhizothera dulitensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Common Quail classified as Vulnerable?
Common Quail is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Common Quail faces significant population declines across much of its range due to intensive agricultural practices that have eliminated traditional farming methods and reduced habitat quality. Large-scale mechanized harvesting during breeding season causes direct mortality, while pesticide use reduces insect prey availability crucial for chick survival. Habitat fragmentation and loss of mixed farming landscapes have further compressed suitable breeding areas.
Where does Common Quail live?
Common Quail occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Common Quail?
The main threats to Common Quail are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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