California Quail in Oregon
When California quail are present in Oregon, when they nest, which native Oregon plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9b yard.
- Status in Oregon
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
When to expect California quail in Oregon
California Quails live in Oregon all year. Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward seeds and greens.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Nesting in Oregon
Across Oregon, California quail typically nest from April–July. Nest site: shallow ground scrape. Females lay 12–16 eggs, incubate for 22–23 days, and young leave the nest after a few hours (chicks are precocial).
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
- California Quail don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, rabbitbrush for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Oregon plants that attract California quail
Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover California quail use:
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Feeding California quail through the Oregon year
State bird of California; coveys need brushy cover next to open feeding areas.
- Best foods: Millet, Cracked corn.
- In Oregon's winter: Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.
Full diet breakdown for California quail · Best feeder for California quail
Frequently asked
Are California quail in Oregon year-round?
Yes. California Quail are year-round residents in Oregon.
When do California quail nest in Oregon?
Nesting in Oregon typically runs April–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 12–16 eggs, incubated for 22–23 days.
What native plants attract California quail in Oregon?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Oregon that provide food or cover for California quail.
California Quail in other regions
Other backyard birds in Oregon
Sources
- California Quail — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- California Quail life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- California Quail — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Oregon
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.