Sex and Age in Quail

Determination of Sex and Age in Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus): 

Determination of Sex and Age in Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)

Determination of Sex: 

Determination of Sex Males White throat patch Females Buff-colored throat patch Male Female

Determination of Age: 

Determination of Age The technique for aging quail is by the coloration of the primary covert feathers and the sequential molting and replacement of primary feathers of their wings. Buff-tipped primary coverts indicate the bird is a juvenile. Absence of buff-tipped primary coverts indicates an adult bird.

Slide4: 

Determination of Age Wing Nomenclature The primaries (flight feathers) are numbered from 10 to 1 starting from the outside and counting in. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Primary feathers Primary coverts Alula feathers

Slide5: 

Determination of Age Wing Nomenclature The primaries are molted and replaced starting with primary number 1. Primaries #9 andamp; #10 are not molted until the bird is an adult. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Primary feathers Primary coverts Alula feathers

Slide6: 

Determination of Age Juvenile Buff-colored tips of the primary coverts reveal that this bird is a juvenile Buff-tipped primary coverts (juvenile)

Slide7: 

Determination of Age After determining that this is a juvenile, we may be able to age the bird in days depending on the molting and replacement of the primary feathers Buff-tipped primary coverts (juvenile) #7 primary being replaced By looking at the table on the next slide, we determine that the #7 primary is about ¼ grown. Therefore, this bird is approximately 83 days old.

Slide8: 

Determination of Age of Juvenile Quail by Primary Feather Molt and Replacement This table will be provided for aging juvenile quail by number of days old

Slide9: 

Determination of Age of Juvenile Quail by Primary Feather Molt and Replacement Juvenile birds that have molted and replaced all 8 primaries are generally considered as 'juveniles greater then 150 days old' when asked to give the age of a quail in days.

Slide10: 

Determination of Age Adult The absence of buff-tipped coverts reveal that this bird is an adult No buff-tipped primary coverts (adult)

Slide11: 

Determination of Age Adult The absence of buff-tipped coverts reveal that this bird is an adult even though the #8 primary is being replaced No buff-tipped primary coverts (adult) #8 primary being replaced

Slide12: 

Determination of Age Adult An adult bird also molts and replaces their primary feathers. Note the absence of buff-tipped coverts before assuming it’s a juvenile. No buff-tipped primary coverts (adult) #10 andamp; #9 primaries are first molted as an adult during the second fall of life (note ragged appearance indicating old, worn feathers)