Birds Of A Feather

We have a lot of Quails at our place. One of our yards, the one out off the bedroom,is reserved just for them. They have the full run of that yard to use as they like. And what they seem to like is digging holes in the dirt along the edges of the grassy area for their ritual dirt baths which they take a few times a day.

You see here in the above pic that she is in the "tub" and her mate is watching out for foxes, raccoons etc. He stands guard while she "bathes" in the dusty hole they have dug. Occasionally, she will kick up so much dirt trying to cover herself, that she splashes it on him and he patiently backs away a little bit.

There are just two holes in the yard that all of the Quails share. Some of the other Quails are off in the back part of the yard eating while these two are at the bathing hole.  I like watching this ritual and seeing how they also puff themselves up to look bigger. 

I'm not sure why they do this dirt bath as I call it. I know that they nest on the ground and not in trees like most other birds. So perhaps this is some sort of mating ritual. Any of you reading this that may know the answer, please let me know in a comment.  

 

In the above pic, the pair are both in the hole kicking up the dirt. Suddenly he's had enough and jumps out and shakes the dirt off. As in the pic below. He creates a little dust cloud as he shakes himself off.

Here is his mate (below) all puffed up and ready to go for dinner. See how round she has made herself?

I have two real good bird directories but neither of them mentions these behaviors. They sure are pretty birds, they are members of the Pheasant family.

Now to add a little more color to this post I'll show you some more of what's happening in our bloom time here at the coast.

 

These red berries grow on a very wide, tall shrub that is growing along side our deck. The song birds LOVE these berries! I don't know the names of a lot of the wild things that grow up here since we haven't lived here that long.

 

Another of my Columbine plants. I like the various colors these plants come in.

 

A beautiful rose plant for Mothers Day from my son, Jonathan.

I want to take a minute here to thank all of you who come by to visit my humble blog. Those of you who leave comments and those who just come by to visit. Thank you each and all. I appreciate you very much.

Have a great day!

xo Colette

Comments

[alicia]

Those little quails are so cute, I can't believe how big they puff themselves up!!