iN PHOTOS: Chilly quail fluff up for warmth during Okanagan deep freeze

California quail can be seen in backyards across the Okanagan with their feathers fluffed up, huddling in groups or voraciously eating seeds to keep warm during the current deep freeze.  Photographers throughout the Okanagan snapped photos of the adorable little birds. The birds,...

iN PHOTOS: Chilly quail fluff up for warmth during Okanagan deep freeze
California quail can be seen in backyards across the Okanagan with their feathers fluffed up, huddling in groups or voraciously eating seeds to keep warm during the current deep freeze.  Photographers throughout the Okanagan snapped photos of the adorable little birds. The birds, which are recognized by the adorable comma-shaped plumes on their heads, are highly sociable and move around in flocks. READ MORE: Everything you need to know about quail in the Southern Interior https://infotel.ca/newsitem/everything-you-need-to-know-about-quail-in-the-southern-interior/it22857 They don't migrate in the winter, but instead form even larger coveys in the cold and cuddle together to conserve body heat. The flocks are known to burst out of the shrubs into the air when startled by a passerby. California quail are native to the southwestern United States states and were introduced to BC in the 19th century. READ MORE: The Okanagan's favourite non-resident bird may be on the move https://infotel.ca/newsitem/california-quail-in-kamloops-the-okanagans-favourite-non-resident-bird-may-be-on-the-move/it73950 They're found mostly in the Okanagan but its rumoured among birders and wildlife enthusiasts they have been spotted in the Kamloops area in the past five years. If you've taken photos of quail and 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 .