Ash Canyon - June 17 & 23, 2026
It isn't uncommon to see male and female Gambel's Quails with a brood of eight or more chicks. The chicks scurry everywhere but always seem to know exactly where to find Mom and Pop. It's very entertaining to watch their family activities. On this day, I was surprised to spot a single male with two large chicks, so I did a little research. I learned that the female will often abandon the family, leaving the male to finish raising the chicks while she finds another mate and starts another family. I'm guessing that's what happened in this case, and most of the chicks have "left home". Pop is still dutifully looking after the two remaining chicks until they decide to go out on their own. Gambel's Quail (M) with chicks. Bush Tit Carpenter Bee Phainopepla (F) Black-chinned (F) Flame Skimmer Ladder-backed Woodpecker (F) Brown-headed Cowbird (F) House Finch (M) Bewick's Wren Curve-billed Thrasher Bullock's Oriole (F) Bullock's Oriole (M) Br...