Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae ), cabin in Pine, AZ, Gila County

This Montezuma Quail was discovered photographed by Brian Ison on 07 November 2009 at his cabin in Pine.

Montezuma Quail apparently is rare this far north and west in the state, and very few sightings in southeast Gila County.

According to the AZ Breeding Bird Atlas, this quail's northwestern range is contracting due to overgrazing, continued drought, and fire suppression. Historically, the western-most record was near Prescott in 1866, and northern-most from near Flagstaff in 1858. In 1964, Phillips et. al. reported that the Montezuma Quail could no longer be found north of the Pinal Mountains or northwest of the White Mountains. However, irregular reports were from south-southeast of Flagstaff in 1966, and Camp Verde in 1970, not too far from Pine.

Cryptic feathering on back and wings, clownish face pattern, rounded wings and short tail. Gray sides with white spotting, thick legs/feet with long claws, and chestnut belly.

07 November 2009, photo by Brian Ison