Quail are tiny game birds that are of interest to birders, hunters, and those who raise poultry, as there are many types of domestic quail. Therefore, the longevity of these birds is a topic that many would like to know more about. The question of “How long do quail live?” is a curiosity that many would like to know more about.
I will answer this question and answer some questions about the lifespans of several types of quail. This article will offer something for everyone, as the lifespans of both wild and domestic quail will be discussed. Now, if you’ve ever wondered, “How long does a quail live?”, then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s learn about a typical quail lifespan!
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How Long Do Quail Live?
There are more than 40 species of quail that are distributed throughout the world. One thing that all quail have in common is that they are very tiny compared to their game bird counterparts. This means that they are prone to attacks from a greater variety of predators than birds like pheasants or turkeys. So, how long do quail live?
Well, the exact amount of time that quail can live will depend on various factors related to species, environment, and whether or not they are captive birds. Of course, captive birds will have a longer quail lifespan than wild quail, as they aren’t likely to contend with any predators. In the wild, quail rarely achieve their maximum quail lifespans, are they are usually predated or succumb to environmental conditions before reaching this point.
Okay, surviving in the wild is one thing, but how long do quails live in captivity? Let’s take a closer look at how long quail can live in captive environments.
How Long Do Quail Live In Captivity?
Domestic quail are more likely to enjoy longer lives than their wild counterparts, as there are plenty of predators that are vying to devour these tiny birds in the wild. However, captive birds rarely have to contend with predators, so how long do quail live in captivity?
Even in an environment with unlimited food, favorable temperatures, and no predators, the lifespan of a quail in captivity is still not that long. In fact, the average quail lifespan for captive quail tends to be around 3 years. This may not seem like a long time, especially if you’re used to raising other fowl like chickens or geese.
However, this is just the reality of owning quail – they are petite, short-lived birds. It is not uncommon for some quail owners to have birds that live for 5 years. Indeed, some captive quail can live for more than 10 years, but this is an impressive feat. Although captive quail may be safe from predators, they still have to potentially contend with disease and malnutrition within their captive environments.
Now that we have a general framework for how long quail live in captivity, let’s examine some specific types of domestic quail to determine how long they can be expected to live in captivity. For starters, how long do button quail live?
How Long Do Button Quail Live?
Button quails are the smallest captive quail species that can be kept. Indeed, these little game birds usually measure only 4 or 5 inches (10 – 13 cm). Considering their tiny size, how long do button quail live?
The precise lifespan of a quail the size of a button quail will depend on an assortment of factors, however, a good life for a button quail would be reaching 4 years old. Alas, many button quail do not reach this age because of poor care or bad genetics. Moreover, button quail lifespans will be influenced by the exact species of button quail that one owns, as several varieties of captive button quail can be obtained.
Therefore, although button quail can live for more than 5 years, many do not live past a few years.
Now, button quail are very tiny and fragile, so would it be better to keep a species like a coturnix quail? How long do coturnix quail live?
How Long Do Coturnix Quail Live In Captivity?
Coturnix quail are a genus of quail that contains 5 extant species. However, those in captivity are usually descended from Common Quail or Japanese Quail – birds that measure about 6.5 – 7 inches (16 – 18 cm). So, how long do coturnix quail live in captivity?
Well, coturnix quail lifespan in captivity is typically about 2 or 3 years, but it is not uncommon for some to live to be 6 years old. Unfortunately, coturnix quail rarely live to be more than 6 years old, though they can live to be closer to 10 years old.
Like button quails, coturnix quail lifespan can be prolonged if they’re fed a well-balanced diet and provided with comfortable temperatures in which to live.
How Long Do Bobwhite Quail Live In Captivity?
Northern Bobwhites are a familiar species of game bird in eastern North America. Although they used to be quite common, their wild populations have declined substantially in the past half-century. Nevertheless, bobwhite quail are becoming an increasingly popular captive quail species, leading many to question their longevity. So, how long do bobwhite quail live in captivity?
Like other captive quail, bobwhites do not tend to live excessively long lives. However, they may have longer maximum lifespans than other domestic quail. Living for 3 – 4 years is often typical for a bobwhite quail, however, they can exceed 10 years old with good care and proper genetics.
Captive bobwhite quail certainly tend to live longer than their wild counterparts, so let’s now discuss how long quail live in the wild.
How Long Do Quail Live In The Wild?
As we’ve already discussed in this article, being a quail promises a difficult life. Indeed, quail constantly have to evade predators, and large numbers may be lost during hunting seasons or inclement weather. For these reasons, quail life expectancy is brief. This begs the question: how long do quail live in the wild?
Many are surprised to realize that the vast majority of wild quail do not live to be more than one year old. Yes, most quail meet their demise long before their first birthday. However, if they can navigate the gauntlet of predators that want to eat them when they’re tiny, fluffy babies, they have a greater chance of surviving once they become adults.
The oldest Northern Bobwhite that was ever recorded in the wild only lived to be about 6.5 years old. Moreover, the oldest wild California Quail only lived to be 7 years old. Although quail brief lives, they offset their short existences by being prolific breeders. A female quail has the potential to produce more than 25 chicks annually.
Quail Predators
There are many quail predators that both wild and domestic quail have to contend with. Due to these adversaries, the lifespan of quail tends to be quite short.
Those curious about what eats quail will want to have these species on their radar:
- Humans
- Foxes
- Coyotes
- Raccoons
- Feral cats
- Weasels
Conclusion
How long does a quail live? Well, not long – a quails lifespan is undoubtedly brief. Those who were curious about the question, “How long do quails live?” now know that these tiny birds rarely live to be more than a few years old.
Quail life expectancy is brief because they are constantly being hunted by predators in the wild, while domesticated birds may perish if they aren’t fed a nourishing diet. It’s safe to say that quail do not enjoy lengthy lives like birder bigger birds such as ravens and parrots. However, despite their short lives, quail are beloved by birders and poultry enthusiasts alike.