California quail

annual

Primary seed consumer; important food source especially in fall and winter when other resources limited

annual

primary seed forager in fall and winter months when seeds are available

shrub

Browse evergreen foliage during winter months when other food sources scarce

annual

Primary seed consumption during fall and winter months when other food sources decline

grass

Staple seed food resource; important for winter survival and breeding season

grass

Primary seed source in fall and winter diet; flocks forage on mature seed heads

shrub

Fall and winter seed consumption important for diet

grass

Fall and winter seed foraging Sep-Mar

perennial herb

seed consumption during seed production and availability periods

grass

forages on grass seeds in fall and winter months; important food source in native grasslands

annual

Primary seed consumption during fall and winter months when other food sources decline

perennial herb

Forage on seeds in late summer and fall when available

fern

Dense fern patches provide covey cover and nesting habitat

fern

Uses dense fern fronds and rocky terrain for nesting cover and escape habitat

annual

Important winter seed resource for overwintering coveys

shrub

berries consumed in late season; provides covey shelter within dense branches

shrub

Seeds consumed during autumn and winter months

perennial herb

Important seed source, particularly in fall and winter when other food scarce

annual

Important seed source during winter months and post-breeding season

grass

critical fall and winter seed diet in California grasslands

shrub

Consume hips and seeds; important winter food source in California foothills

perennial herb

consume fallen seeds and dried fruit in post-breeding season

shrub

browse evergreen foliage during dry season when other food scarce

perennial herb

Dense evergreen structure provides critical nesting and roosting habitat; year-round refuge

annual

Seeds consumed during fall and winter months when other food sources decline

annual

Important seed source during fall and winter when other food sources decline

grass

significant seed source during autumn and winter months

shrub

Fall and winter diet staple; forages beneath shrubs

grass

forages on grass seeds during fall and winter months; important supplemental diet

perennial herb

consume dried seeds in fall and winter as food source; supplement diet during cover plant use

perennial herb

Dense growth provides cover for nesting and predator avoidance year-round

perennial herb

Seeds available late summer through fall; important post-breeding food source for coveys

perennial herb

Seeds and berries consumed in fall; important autumn food source in chaparral

perennial herb

seeds consumed throughout year, especially important in winter

grass

important winter food source for coveys in grassland habitats

shrub

Dense growth provides protective cover for coveys

annual

Fall and winter seed foraging in scrubland habitats where Lessingia occurs

annual

post-maturation seed consumption

grass

Primary seed consumption during fall and winter months when other food sources diminish

perennial herb

Seeds consumed during dry season when other food scarce; important winter food source