Survival of the Fattest
By
Gambel’s Quail chicks have been scurrying around for a couple of weeks now in our neighborhood, and these cool and rainy days (how often do I get to use that phrase in Tucson in May!?) have brought them in to the feeders, hitherto the exclusive domain of loafing or unpaired adults. This afternoon a female brought seven teenagers–whether all her own or a combined creche, I don’t know–in to munch on the thistle seed.
The seed is oily and rich, of course, so everybody needed a drink, too.
I wasn’t certain what would happen when the female flew up to the birdbath. But sure enough, the kids barely hesitated before hop-fluttering right up there next to her. I’m always surprised by how quickly quail chicks can take to the air; if I remember right, they actually learn to fly on their greater coverts while the remiges themselves are still growing. A good way to keep one step ahead of the coyotes!
