Why Do Gambel’s Quails Have Plumes or Topknots?
While staying in Phoenix, Arizona at my sister-in-law’s house, we saw a lot of Gambel’s Quail. These are fun-looking birds with a topknot or plume. Both the males and the females have a plume, but the male’s is longer. A Gambel’s Quail plume is composed of six comma-shaped feathers.
Is the Plume for Attracting a Mate?
Researchers have discovered that the plume is not for attracting a mate. It seems that female’s couldn’t care less about a male’s plume; and male’s don’t care about a female’s plume. Females select mates based on how well they forage and how big they are. Perhaps that’s because they have a plume of their own. No one seems to know why the females have a plume. Perhaps it’s just a standard part of the Gambel’s Quail anatomy.
It’s a Plume Competition
For male’s the plume or topknot has a bearing on their standing among other males. The males with the longest plumes are considered more intimidating to other males. Scientists tried shortening male plumes, and doing so lowered their standing among other males. When researchers artificially lengthening Gambel’s Quails’ plumes, the enhanced males outcompeted other males.
As fond as my husband is of saying life “is not a competition,” in nature, it seems there is a tendency to compete – and over what would seem to us as the silliest things. For Gambel’s quail, the longest, tallest plume wins.
How to Tell a Female from a Male Gambel’s Quail
In general, the females are duller looking, grey, have more brownish-grey faces and heads. The males have chestnut brown on top of their heads and a black face. The male’s plume stands up higher than the female’s as well.
Quail Animal Symbolism
Quails stay together in families. The male leads the way and the female takes up the rear as the family travels. For this reason, Native Americans associated quails with family love and family unity.
Quails travel on foot most of the time even though they can fly. This mode of travel reminds us to stay grounded and connected to Mother Earth.
When quails go somewhere, they go FAST. They scurry across a lawn or a field and can travel miles on foot. They travel with purpose, one tiny little step after another … really fast. Thus, quail are also a symbol of purpose, direction and letting each small step build on the other to take you where you need to go. Let quail remind you that your overarching purpose can be achieved one step at a time!
