iN PHOTOS: Baby quail bring extra dose of cuteness to Okanagan landscape

The California quail is a popular bird in the Okanagan, recognized by its comical topknot, and area photographers have been capturing photos of the adorable babies born this spring and summer. The sociable birds can be seen in large flocks or coveys of more than 20 and because the babies are snacks for a variety of predators, the birds have huge broods as many as three times per year, laying eggs in scratched out ground nests.  Flocks of adults with mottled, fluffy babies in tow can be spotted in open grassy areas, including in backyards and other urban spaces giving onlookers a dose of cuteness. Parents can be seen perched on something a few feet in the air, keeping watch over their babies.  California quail do not migrate in the winter, but instead form even larger coveys of sometimes with hundreds of birds. The flocks will explode into the air when surprised and quickly settle back down. READ MORE: iN PHOTOS: Euro car show in Kelowna raises money for charity https://infotel.ca/inwheels/in-photos-euro-car-show-in-kelowna-raises-money-for-charity/it105817 The California quail is native to the southwestern United States https://infotel.ca/newsitem/everything-you-need-to-know-about-quail-in-the-southern-interior/it22857 but was introduced to BC as a game bird in the 19th century. Its range is confined to the Okanagan, however birdwatchers have heard reports of them spotted in Westwold, the Shuswap and Kamloops https://infotel.ca/newsitem/california-quail-in-kamloops-the-okanagans-favourite-non-resident-bird-may-be-on-the-move/it73950 over the past several years. Even if you haven’t seen quail up close, you’ve likely heard the distinctive chi-ca-go call or the quieter pit-pit alarm on walks through the woods. If you have wildlife photos you want to share, send them to news@infonews.ca mailto:news@infonews.ca . To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie mailto:sainslie@infonews.ca  or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .