Ground Birds--Grouse, Quail and such

Male Gambel's Quail

This very pretty Gambel's Quail was photographed at Salton Sea, California.

Just Strutin' Around

This female Gambel's Quail was feeding with several other quail, both male and female. This one was sort of strutting around, which seemed unusual behavior for a female, but what do I know?? I thought it made an interesting pose for her portrait.

Female Gambel's Quail

This is a female Gambel's Quail, photographed at Salton Sea, CA.

Gambel's Quail Two

These are two male Gambel's Quail, photographed at the Sonny Bono National Headquarters of Salton Sea. They are a desert species, noted for their red head and the dark belly patch.

Montezuma Quail

This is a very poor quality photo of the elusive Montezuma Quail. It was taken in shade, and has been greatly cropped. I was thrilled to get any photo at all of this bird, which I have seldom seen. It was photographed in Cave Creek Canyon in southeast Arizona.

Female Ring-necked Pheasant

This female pheasant was feeding along the side of the road at San Jacinto Wildlife Area this afternoon. I hadn't seen a pheasant there for several years, so it was a surprise and a treat.

Chukar 2

This was one of several Chukars that were huddled under sagebrush and running across the road and up a hillside. I love their pretty markings.

Chukar

This Chukar was photographed in the small town of Randsburg, California. It is an Old World game bird that was originally introduced to North America in the 1930's. It has done well in desert environments.

Greater Roadrunner

This roadrunner was perched on a rock in Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. He was cooing, deep in his throat; I had never seen this before. He is a member of the Cuckoo family, which shows with his cooing-type call.

Wild Turkey ~ This turkey was one of many I saw in Texas this week. It was at Choke Canyon State Park in central Texas.

Greater Roadrunner ~ This roadrunner was photographed in southern Texas. He was very cooperative, leading the way into a bird viewing area, letting me walk right behind him, getting many shots of him.

Greater Prairie Chicken Face Off ~ These two male birds are facing off in their courtship dance, showing who's the best. They were very entertaining to watch, and I considered it a privilege to observe them.

Jumping Chicken ~ Sometimes in the middle of two male Greater Prairie Chickens' courtship display, one or both birds will jump and flutter into the air. Then they come down and continue postering.

Displaying Greater Prairie Chicken ~ I visited eastern Colorado for a six day birding trip. The primary goal was to observe the Greater Prairie Chickens displaying on their traditional leks, or "dancing grounds". Although the early hour, distance, and moving targets, did not make for high quality photographs, it was a wonderful happening, well worth the 3:45 am alarm and cold windy morning!

Greater Prairie Chicken ~ This displaying Greater Prairie Chicken was facing off with several male birds on the lek, "booming" by distending his air sacs, and performing well to attract a female bird.

Courtship dance of the Greater Prairie Chicken ~ This pose is used to defend a territory, attract females, and to ward off other males. They strut and stamp their feet, raise the neck feathers and tail feathers, distend the yellow air sacs, and make a variety of booming and clucking noises. They are quite the entertainers!

Gambel's Quail at Salton Sea ~ Another view of a Gambel's Quail. There were several male and female quail there; they were mostly shy about having their photos taken.

Gambel's Quail

~ This male Gambel's Quail was photographed at Sonny Bono Visitor's Center at Salton Sea, December, 2012.

Male Gambel's Quail ~ This beautiful quail was photographed near Salton Sea recently.

Common Ground Dove

~ This little dove was photographed at the Sonny Bono Visitor's Center at Salton Sea.