Whether
dogs, cats, or people, it's easy to forget how small newborn animals are
until we see them or hold them. It's especially true of quail. How many
people have held a quail chick, or even seen one the day after it hatched?
Not many, because the little ones' very survival depends on their ability
to hide effectively. From the day they hatch until they can fly three
weeks later, they must walk or run everywhere the go. And because they
aren't much bigger than bumblebees they must have some bare ground.
Bare ground an essential part of quail country? You bet! Little quail simply can't get around where the ground is choked with plant material. They can't get to weed seeds buried in the litter. They can't catch up with the insects they need for fast growth. They can't dry off after a rain or heavy dew. They can't dust to maintain their feathers that keep them warm. You bet they need bare ground. Even when they are full grown, they make their living on the ground.
Of course, bare ground by itself won't support quail chicks. There have to be plants that produce seeds and fruits, plants that support insects where quail can reach them and also provide cover from the weather and predators. The bare ground provides room to move and without that room they die.
The next time you see a bumblebee, remember that a quail fresh from the egg is about the same size and has to have some bare ground to make it until fall.
