Common Quail
Coturnix coturnix
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.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_quail
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Galliformes
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Coturnix
Common Quail belongs to the family Phasianidae, order Galliformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
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.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
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.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and mechanized harvesting
Habitat loss and fragmentation of grasslands
Pesticide use reducing insect prey availability
Climate change affecting breeding and migration timing
Hunting pressure during migration
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | NTNear Threatened | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | NTNear Threatened | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/common-quail