Quail Fact Friday!
As spring temperatures rise, bobwhite quail begin taking regular dust baths – a behavior that helps keep their feathers clean and free from parasites. Quail find dry, loose soil and scratch it up over their backs, shimmying and fluffing until they’re fully coated. This behavior looks like a bird splashing itself in a bird bath, but quail bathe in dirt!
Dust baths maintain feathers by absorbing excess oil and moisture. They also control parasites by dislodging mites and lice. In hot weather, dusting helps quail cool off by loosening feathers and exposing skin – think of it like unzipping a coat.
Habitat tip: Keep an eye out for bare patches of dirt surrounded by native grass or shrubby cover – those are prime dust bath spots. These dust bowls are typically reused again and again. Too much uniform grass can limit good dusting areas. Quail need a mosaic of habitat – native grasses and shrubs, open soil for dusting, and forbs for food.
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