How to Attract Quail

Co-authored by Amy Harrison and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: March 7, 2023 References Approved

If you love quail but can't seem to interest them in your yard, make a few simple yard changes. Start by planting ground cover and shrubs to create a welcoming habitat that will make quail feel secure. You should also give the quail access to shallow water and food, such as seeds, insects, and grains. Quail will enjoy your yard if they feel protected and nourished.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making Your Yard Attractive to Quails

1
Plant native plants instead of introduced species. Research plants that are native to your planting zone and choose native shrubs and trees that will attract quail. Native plants provide a protected place for quail to breed, roost, and nest. Many of the plants are also home to insects that the quail like to eat.^{[1]
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- For example, if you live in Texas, you could plant black locust, eastern red cedar, and desert willow.
- For example, if you live in Arizona, try planting velvet and honey mesquite trees, catclaw, saltbush, and globe mallow.
2
Grow dense ground cover to protect the quail. Leave grass and foliage in your space to mimic the quail's natural habitat. Quail can hide in the tall grass and the shrubbery makes a windbreak that protects the birds from the elements.^{[2]
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- Quail love thickets, tangles, and brush piles, so don't clear these from the space.
Did You Know? A quail's natural habitat is made up of 10 to 60% woody cover, so brush is important in attracting quail.

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3
Set out dry nesting material. Quail like to find an area where they can breed and raise their young. Provide dry straw, hay, grass, leaf litter, and twigs to encourage the quail to breed. Set these near the ground cover, so the quail feel protected.^{[3]
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4
Create a dry, dusty space for the quail to bathe. Quail roll in the dust to protect their feathers and remove parasites. The dust also acts like a bath. To make a bathing spot for the quail, mix a little dry sand into a space filled with dirt.^{[4]
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- Consider placing a cover or tree near the bathing spot, so the spot doesn't become muddy if it rains.
5
Arrange hollow logs or stumps in your space. Hollow logs make great hiding spots or places for the quail to nest and feed. Place a few hollow logs near the shrubbery and ground cover. This will encourage the quail to investigate the logs. You should also set out a stump or large piece of timber.^{[5]
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- If you attract a flock of quail, the male leader will perch on the stump.
6
Use fencing or shrubbery to secure the quail from predators. If you have livestock in the area, install high fencing to prevent them from wandering into the space where you're trying to attract quail. Otherwise, shrubbery can act as a fence to keep other predators away. It's also important to keep house pets out of the space since they'll frighten the quail away.^{[6]
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- You should also avoid walking around the space because you could disturb the quail.
7
Keep pets indoors. Quail are very fragile and easily-frightened birds that can be discouraged by unwanted animals in your garden, such as cats or dogs. Limit the sessions your household pets spend outside.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Feeding the Quails

1
Set out wild bird seed and grains near the ground cover. Purchase wild bird seed and grain sorghum. Then scatter it near the shrubs and ground cover. The quail will be attracted to the food, but will be protected by the plants.
- You can find wild bird seed formulated for quail at most local pet stores or online.
2
Place millet sprays in the shrubbery. You can buy millet seeds that are still attached to the stalk and insert them ground cover. The quail will be drawn to the millet and they'll be protected by the shrubbery while they're eating it.^{[7]
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- Cowbirds and house sparrows also enjoy millet sprays.
3
Plant extra food resources. Quail might be interested in herbs, vegetables, and berry bushes in your space, so consider planting these. Shrubs that produce food for quail include serviceberry, snowberry, huckleberry, blackberry, currant, and grape.^{[8]
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- Quail also eat flowers and insects that are commonly found in gardens.
4
Avoid using hanging bird feeders. Quail don't fly and they don't like to perch while they eat, so don't put food into bird feeders that hang from trees. If you still want to use a feeder, purchase one that sits just off of the ground and fill it with wild bird seed.
- Keep in mind that predators, such as house cats or rats, may be drawn to the quail as they gather near the ground feeders.
5
Add a water source to your garden. Quail don't usually like to drink from raised bird baths, but they are attracted to shallow, low-lying water sources. If you don't have an artificial pond in your space, set out shallow bowls of water.^{[9]
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- Quail will also be drawn to streams or rivers that they can drink from.

Community Q&A

Question

How can you tell a female and male quail apart?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

Typically, you look at their feathers and marking. Button and Californian quail are easy to tell a part due to their markings and plumage. Coturnix quail, however, can be sexed by checking their underside and pressing on their cloaca. Please refer to the wikiHow How to Determine the Sex of a Quail to learn more.
Question

I have thirty acres of wild habitat in the Hill Country. Should I introduce wild or pen raised quail to see if they will thrive?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

Wild quail will thrive better in the wild compared to domesticated quail. This is due to their natural instincts to survive and repopulate. Domesticated quail have years of instinctual genes bred out of them, so may not thrive in open conditions.
Question

What types of quail can you keep?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

Coturnix (or Japanese) and Button (or King) quail are the most popular breeds to keep. Depending on what purpose you'd like quail for, there are multiple breeds available. Gambel, California, Scaled and Mountain quail are a few other breeds that are less common.

Warnings

While these additions to your garden can attract quail, they can also entice unwanted pests and dangerous wildlife, such as snakes, spiders, reptiles and amphibians.

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