Gambel's Quail in New Mexico
When Gambel's quail are present in New Mexico, when they nest, which native New Mexico plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9a yard.
- Status in New Mexico
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9a
When to expect Gambel's quail in New Mexico
Gambel's Quails live in New Mexico all year. Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward mesquite and legume seeds.
Arid to semi-arid, with Chihuahuan desert in the south and mountain forest above 7,000 ft.
Nesting in New Mexico
Across New Mexico, Gambel's quail typically nest from April–July. Nest site: scrape on the ground under shrubs. Females lay 10–12 eggs, incubate for 21–24 days, and young leave the nest after a few hours (chicks are precocial).
Hot, dry early summer followed by the July–August monsoon.
- Gambel's Quail don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as rabbitbrush, prickly pear for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native New Mexico plants that attract Gambel's quail
Of the regional native plants we track for New Mexico, these 8 provide food or cover Gambel's 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.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Fruit and seed plus nest sites for Cactus Wrens.
Feeding Gambel's quail through the New Mexico year
Coveys of 20+ visit ground feeders at dawn; a dripping water source brings them in.
- Best foods: Millet, Cracked corn.
- In New Mexico's winter: Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations.
Full diet breakdown for Gambel's quail · Best feeder for Gambel's quail
Frequently asked
Are Gambel's quail in New Mexico year-round?
Yes. Gambel's Quail are year-round residents in New Mexico.
When do Gambel's quail nest in New Mexico?
Nesting in New Mexico typically runs April–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 10–12 eggs, incubated for 21–24 days.
What native plants attract Gambel's quail in New Mexico?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush, Prickly pear are native plants in New Mexico that provide food or cover for Gambel's quail.
Gambel's Quail in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Mexico
Sources
- Gambel's Quail — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Gambel's Quail life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Gambel's Quail — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Mexico
- 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.