California Quail was introduced into central Chile in 1870 as a game-bird and it now seems fairly common as far south as Puerto Montt. Being a game bird, it is very flighty and quite difficult to get close enough for a decent photo.

The male has a remarkable plume on its forehead as well as a black throat surrounded by white and a white supercilium.

They are to be found in agricultural areas, scrubland and gardens provided ther is nearby cover. They feed on seeds and tubers often in small coveys or as pairs when one bird will always be on the alert while the other feeds as in photo 4.