Status, Distribution and Seasonal Diets
of Gambel's quail in Texas
by Michael R. Sullins (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) and Louis A. Harveson
 Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambellii) are limited in distribution in Texas and therefore have limited economic value as gamebirds. Although they hold gamebird status with seasons and bag limits, they have received little research attention.
Aside from a few TPWD unpublished documents, virtually no data exists to date on Gambel's quail (GQ) in Texas. The goal of this study was to obtain baseline information on Gambel's quail to help update its life history and current status in Texas. Specific objectives were:
- assess the current distribution of GQ;
- determine status (relative abundance) of GQ; and
- determine seasonal food habits of GQ.
Published information on the food habits of Gambel's quail in Texas does not exist and information from New Mexico is limited to the fall and winter seasons. A year-round sample of foods consumed by Gambel's quail will aid in their management and conservation and will provide vital information on the bird's basic and essential needs.
This research will also provide information of current population trends, current distribution, as well as provide needed information to construct management schemes to improve and/or maintain viable populations.
We evaluated historical and recent distribution maps through a variety of techniques including existing TPWD maps and data, landowner surveys and field reconnaissance. Distribution maps were created in a GIS to facilitate data management and map building.
Once distribution maps were tentatively created, we established a surveying technique for Gambel's quail throughout their distribution. Approximately three to five 36-km road-side surveys were chosen in each county. A detailed protocol (dates, times, speed, route, data sheets, etc.) was provided to TPWD staff for review.
Several survey routes were located adjacent to study sites to validate the index to actual population levels of Gambel's quail.
Easternmost distribution of birds occurred at the southern tip of Big Bend National Park (BBNP) along the Rio Grande floodplain. Northernmost distribution occurred just below Dell City in Culberson County.
Generally birds were distributed along and within 20 miles of the Rio Grande floodplain from BBNP to El Paso, restricted to the floodplain and to tributary draws with fairly dense riparian vegetation. Birds also occurred from Van Horn north to Dell City roughly following the Beach and Sierra Diablo Mountains on east and west sides within the drainages that had sufficient riparian vegetation. Highest abundance of GQ appears to be correlated with density and width of riparian vegetation.
To better understand the habitat requirements and food preferences of GQ in Texas, 10-30 quail were collected each season (November-February, March-June, July-October) for two years (2003, 2004) from three study sites representing different habitats and environmental conditions throughout the Trans-Pecos region (n = 410).
Crop contents were analyzed to determine food habits of male, female, and juvenile GQ by season. Sex, age, reproductive condition and other morphological variables were recorded from collected quail.
Preliminary findings indicate heavy use of green leafy material from late winter into early summer, with increasing arthropod material in males and females prior to nesting. Juvenile birds had significantly higher percentage of arthropods in crop contents than adults.
Major food items include: seeds of annual forbs (tumbleweed, cowpen daisy, annual legumes, desert spike, mentzelia), mast (wolfberry, littleleaf sumac, Warnock's condalia, strawberry pitaya cactus, tasajillo, hackberry), seeds of woody legumes (Gregg's catclaw, whitethorn acacia, desertwillow, Reomer's acacia, catclaw mimosa, mesquite), arthropods (primarily ants, beetles and caterpillars) and a wide variety of green leafy material (primarily seasonally-available forbs).
Cooperative funding for this project was provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Quail Unlimited and Sul Ross State University.
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Sul Ross State University
