How to Keep Quail From Roosting in Trees

Quail are short, squat, fast-running birds that live primarily on the ground.

Quail are small, ground-dwelling birds that are part of the pheasant family. There are at least six species of quail in the United States; including, partridges, California quail, Bob Whites and Gambel's quail. Quail can fly, although only for short bursts, usually when eluding a predator. Most quail spend their lives on the ground, though some, like the Gambel's quail roost in trees. Quail are primarily vegetarians, eating seeds and leaves. They also eat berries and insects.

Things You'll Need

• Large, fake owl
• Nylon or plastic netting
• Chainsaw, hand saw or heavy duty hedge clippers

Instructions

1. Remove all sources of food and water. Quail can jump into birdbaths and access some low-hanging bird feeders. Having bird feeders for songbirds can cause quail to hang around for the leftovers, giving them incentive to roost close by.

2. Cover trees, especially fruit trees, with nylon netting to prevent quail from roosting in the branches. This also prevents them from eating the fruit.

3. Trim the lower branches of the trees where the quail roost -- thinning the upper branches at the same time. When the tree no longer provides protection from predators; such as owls, hawks, cats and weasels, the quail will move on in favor of more hidden places to roost.

4. Put a large, plastic, fake owl on a branch in the tree. Owls are a natural predator of smaller birds and quail are not smart enough to realize the owl is not real, causing them to relocate.

Tips & Warnings

• Realize that removing bird feeders and bird baths will also keep songbirds from visiting. Quail are not destructive birds -- and except for certain breeds -- will only use a tree to escape a predator. Watching quail families go about daily life can be rewarding.

• Do not use poisons, traps or other hostile methods to keep quail from roosting in trees, this could result in injury and death to other animals, including household pets.

References

• a - z animals: Quail
• OneLife.com: Culture and the Gambel's Quail
• AvianWeb.com: California Quail
• Animal Diversity Web: Callipepla Gambelii, Gambel's Quail
• Kansas State University Research and Extension:Birds, Urban Wildlife Damage Control: Charles Lee, F. Robert Anderson
• PestExterminator.com: How to Get Rid of Birds While Ruffling Your Feathers