Habitat, Movements and Roost Characteristics of Montezuma Quail in Southeastern Arizona

Abstract

Movements, survivorship, covey size, roosting behavior, and habitat use of Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) marked with radio transmitters were studied in the foothills of the Huachuca Mountains of southeastern Arizona from October 1986 through November 1987. Coveys used small areas (0.09-6 ha) and during midwinter, the same small area would be used for long periods. In late winter and early spring, coveys occupied much larger areas by sequentially spending 3-10 days on adjacent, nonoverlapping areas as large as 50 ha. Daily movements were small (15-60 m) for most of the year, and movements between days were often 5 100 m. Birds with radios persisted on the study site as long as 133 days, but most were followed for <30 days. Covey size varied seasonally, with pairs observed from April-May through September. Individually followed coveys of up to six to eight birds declined in numbers from September through April. Slope, aspect, basal vegetation cover, dominant plant species, and distance to the nearest oak tree was measured at each location or flush site. When compared to randomly selected points in the oak savanna habitat, quail preferred southeast-facing hillsides in tall grasses for night roosts. Day-use areas were selectively on north-facing hillsides. Areas used by quail during the day were generally on hillsides, about 16 m from the nearest oak tree and had grass cover intermediate between barren areas under oak trees and more dense grass cover farther away from the oaks.