Measuring up to 10 inches in length, the male Gambel's Quail has a blue-gray body, black face, maroon cap, maroon side with white streaks, a buff belly and a black head plume called a "topknot". Female's are similar but have smaller topknots and are colored less boldly. Females lack the black face.

Diet: Seeds, plants, insects.

Range: The Gambel's Quail is a common resident of the Sonoran desert region of Arizona. It also occurs in parts of western Texas, southern New Mexico, Utah and Nevada, southeastern California, and a small portion of the west coast of Mexico. It is common in the suburbs of Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas.

Habitat: Desert and arid regions with scrubby undergrowth.

Behavior: The Gambel's Quail is a gregarious bird and often congregates in flocks known as "coveys." When threatened, the quail prefers to run to cover rather than fly.