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Abstract
Diets of Gambel (Lophortyx gambelii Gambel) and scaled quail (Callipepla squamata Vigors) from 1982 to 1984 were examined on the Santa Rita Experimental Range in southern Arizona. Quail selected some foods yearlong and others on a seasonal basis, but exhibited a preference for the seeds and leaves of forbs and insects. Seeds of bristlegrasses were selected primarily during winter. Gonadal development was strongly associated with the availability of spring forbs. Forbs were most common in areas frequented by cattle in native range pastures, and nearly absent from Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees) habitats. Gambel quail exhibited an affinity for desert hackberry (Celtis pallida) as resting cover, while scaled quail were most often associated with grassland habitats with bunchgrasses. The management implications of cattle, quail, and Lehmann's lovegrass interactions are discussed.
Parent Publication
Citation
Medina, Alvin L. 2003. Gambel and scaled quail diets on the Santa Rita Experimental Range. In: McClaran, Mitchel P.; Ffolliott, Peter F.; Edminster, Carleton B., tech. coords. Santa Rita Experimental Range: 100 years (1903 to 2003) of accomplishments and contributions; conference proceedings; 2003 October 30-November 1; Tucson, AZ. Proc. RMRS-P-30. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 133-140.
