ML488641491

Observation details

This group was reported yesterday on a birdlist plus one more bird in group! They come from the northeast to the feeder, and leave in same direction when they are done. This species has been coming several times a day recently. We used to have only California Quail frequently, often with their young. Admittedly, a few weeks ago, I may have reported the quail coming to the feeder incorrectly as Calif quail (which frequent this area annually). This week, I thought their topknot looked undeveloped, and wondered if the whole group were juvenile CAQU. But when I looked more closely with binoculars, and checked against field guide, realized they were Mtn. Quail. The day after this birdlist, I heard them briefly doing their iconic TOOT song. (Early in the 90's, I used to hear singing MOQU on our then new property, during the time I was taking a week long birding by ear class. When I told the instructor, they told me that was highly unlikely. Later though, I heard the ODFW had recently introduced MOQU nearby. They have not been present every year since then, but occasionally I have heard them. This was my first sighting here though.)