[ultimate_heading alignment=”left” el_class=”album-description” margin_design_tab_text=””]Grouse, quail, and turkeys are all considered “ground birds.”  Although entirely capable of flight, these birds often use the ability sparingly.  They spend much of their time traipsing across the ground in search of food, but won’t hesitate to use flight as a means of escaping danger or, sometimes, to attract mates and reach elevated secure roosting sites.  Ground cover is extremely important to the survival of these creatures.  Consider allowing native shrubs, brambles, and leaf cover to remain on the ground.  The more natural your backyard, the better your odds of visits from these quirky creatures![/ultimate_heading]

Bird of the Grasslands

A lone scaled quail surveys his territory from the the vantage of a weathered, wood plank. Scaled quail are true grassland specialists. Willcox, AZ.

Scaled Quail

Can you venture a guess at why he is called a scaled quail? This beautiful fellow and his mate walked right by my camping site, presenting this extraordinary photo op! Photographed at Rockhound State Park, NM, USA.
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Trash Bird

Atop an old, rusty drum, stands one of the most beautiful birds of Southern Arizona. The spectacular scaled quail cuts quite the contrast, standing atop an old piece of human garbage. Willcox, AZ

Nervous Nightjar

While walking down a rural road, I came upon this nightjar just off the pavement. He / she appeared to have a broken wing, so I felt obligated to capture this beautiful creature and make a delivery to the nearest wildlife rehabber. Meeting such a neat bird so intimately was incredible, but the scenario redefined "mixed emotions." Winfield, PA.

Ravenous Roadrunner

Roadrunners are true badasses of the Southwest. These ground prowlers can be seen just about anywhere in the Arizona deserts and won't hesitate to gorge themselves on rattlesnakes, scorpions, and spiders.

Montezuma Quail

After countless visits to habitats one might consider ideal for the rare Montezuma Quail, my very last visit before moving far away yielded a sighting. Perfectly exposed along the Chiricahua Monument's visitor center was a lone quail. I had scoured this entire valley many times over, and just two weeks before relocating to North Carolina, today was the day. I could hardly imagine a more delightful send-off!

Quail Hen

Gambel's quail seem like such silly, defenseless little birds, but these desert specialists are uniquely drought-tolerant. They are not only an important source of food for many carnivores, but quail populations are a major determiner of plant populations due to the large number of seeds the gulp down. Tucson, AZ.

Dusky Grouse

While exploring Arizona's White Mountains, I nearly stepped on this dusky grouse hen. Taking several steps backward and sitting down, she soon resumed sauntering along. Greer, AZ.
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The Portrait of a Quail

Male gambel's quail can be differentiated from their female companions by the stunning black mask and red cap. Tucson, AZ.

Roadrunner

Amidst the a sprinkle of spring wildflowers, the roadrunner bashes an enormous grasshopper. After several assertive smashes, the bird swallowed down his / her prize on carried on with the relentless pursuit of food. Saguaro National Park, AZ.

Ruffed Grouse

A ruffed grouse breaks from drumming on his log. During courtship, in early spring, male ruffed grouse will choose a log often next to a forest clearing. They will repeatedly drum on the log with their powerful feet. This process goes on for hours, days, sometimes weeks until a mate shows up and embraces his persistence. Bald Eagle State Forest, PA.
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