Button Quail

Button quail is super friendly and can be easily tamed with some love and attention. 

They have some cool traits, like the males' territorial behavior and unique communication sounds. 

Whether you get them from a trusted breeder, pet store, or bird show, button quails make fantastic pets for any bird lover.

Button Quail Characteristics

Care Difficulty
Beginner

Average Life Span

4+ years with proper care.

Button Quail Size

4–5 inches long, from head to tail.

Diet and Nutrition

• Omnivorous Diet: Button quails eat both plant and animal matter.

• Commercial Bird Food: High-quality game bird feed or small seed mix.

• Grains: Cooked rice, quinoa, and barley.

• Button Quail Eggs: Boiled eggs or commercial egg food for protein.

• Grit: Small grit to aid digestion.

• Vitamin Supplement: Multivitamin powder mixed in food occasionally.

• Mineral Block: Mineral block to peck for essential nutrients.

• Eggshells: Crushed eggshells for additional calcium.

• Soft Food: Soaked bread or biscuits in small quantities.

• Pellets: Small-sized pellets formulated for game birds.

• Flower Petals: Edible flowers like marigolds and dandelions.

• Legumes: Cooked lentils or peas.

• Root Vegetables: Grated carrots and sweet potatoes.

• Oatmeal: Cooked oats for occasional treats.

• Corn: Small pieces of cooked corn.

• Beetles: Small beetles for added protein.

• Natural Foraging: Allowing them to forage naturally in a safe area.

• Minimum Habitat Size.

• 8 cubic feet per bird.

Appearance

Button quail Males: gray-blue chests, rust-colored abdomens, black and white bands on faces/necks

Button quail Females: larger, brown feathers, no distinct facial markings
Sexual dimorphism: males more colorful, females larger.

You May Also Like: Shoebill Stork

Button Quail Behavior

Territorial: males can be very territorial, especially without females
Flight response: fly straight up when startled, risk of injury.

Communication

Crowing: males assert dominance, attract females
Clicking: contentment
Chirping: social interactions, communication with chicks.

Taming

Docile nature, easily tamed with regular interaction
Hand-feeding builds trust.

Habitat Requirements

Substrate: soft bedding like sand or straw
Hideouts: provide hiding spots for security
Water: clean, fresh water always available.

Reproduction

Courtship displays: males attract females
Nesting: provide nesting materials.

Social Structure

Group living: monitor to prevent aggression
Separation: aggressive males may need to be separated

Button Quail Health Care

• Regular check-ups

• Clean environment to prevent diseases

• Environmental Enrichment

• Foraging opportunities

• Safe environment: no sharp edges or hard surfaces.

Temperature Requirements

Prefer 65-75°F (18-24°C)
Light Requirements
Exposure to natural daylight or full-spectrum light.

Exercise

Need space to move and exercise
Button Quail Breeding
Frequent egg-laying when comfortable.

Molting

Natural feather shedding process
Noise Levels
Generally quiet, males crow to assert dominance

Button Quail Lifespan 

Proper diet, clean environment, regular health care extend lifespan.

Adaptability

Can adapt to different environments with basic needs met.

Companionship

Social birds, do well with company of their kind or other small, non-aggressive birds.

Button Quail Behavior

Male button quails are lovely creatures, but they can be quite territorial. When they're without female companions, they may crow a lot to show who's in charge and mark their territory. 

This behavior is more noticeable when there are no females around, as the males use crowing to let others know they're there and to keep potential rivals away.

Button Quails Common Illnesses

• Coccidiosis

• Respiratory infections

• Salmonella

• Avian pox

• Egg binding

• Aspergillosis

• Newcastle disease

• Worm infestations

• Enteritis

• Lice and mite infestations

• Marek's disease

• Mycoplasmosis

• Infectious bronchitis

• Infectious bursal disease (Gumboro)

• Fowl cholera

• Colibacillosis (E. coli infection)

• Ulcerative enteritis

• Avian tuberculosis

• Botulism

• Chlamydiosis (Psittacosis)

• Fowl pox

• Vitamin A deficiency

• Fatty liver syndrome.

Communication Button Quails

Button quails are pretty quiet birds, but they actually have a wide range of sounds they use to communicate. 

They can make crowing noises to show dominance and attract mates, click when they're happy or foraging, and chirp during social interactions and talk to their chicks. 

Knowing what these Button quails sounds mean can help quail owners understand their birds better and create a happy, harmonious environment for them.

Button Quail Safety

Button quails are such interesting little birds - did you know that when they get startled, they have this adorable habit of flying straight up? It's like their own little surprise takeoff.

Button Quail Care

Button quails are known for their relatively docile nature and can be tamed easily with regular interaction. 

Hand-feeding and gentle handling can help in building trust, making them delightful companions. However, patience and consistency are key to successful taming.

Button Quail Social Life

It is important to monitor social interactions to prevent aggression and stress. 

While males can be territorial, providing ample space and resources can reduce conflicts. In some cases, separating overly aggressive individuals may be necessary to maintain harmony within the group.

Button Quail for Sale

Pet Stores

Many pet stores carry button quails, particularly those specializing in birds and exotic pets.

Breeders

Reputable breeders are a reliable source for healthy button quails. They can provide detailed information about the birds' lineage and care requirements.

Online Marketplaces

Websites like Craigslist, eBay Classifieds, and specialized avian forums often have listings for button quails. 

Always verify the seller’s credibility and ask for recent photos and health information.

Experts and Fairs

Bird shows and fairs are excellent places to find button quails from various breeders.

Conclusion

Button quail makes wonderful and easy-to-care-for pets. these little birds can live long and happy lives. Their special sounds and friendly nature make them great companions. 

By understanding their needs and social habits, you can build a strong bond with your button quails and enjoy a wonderful relationship with them. 

Whether you're new to keeping birds or have experience, button quails are a rewarding and delightful choice.

FAQS

Q1: How big do button quails get?

A: Button quails typically 4–5 inches in length from head to tail.

Q2: How do button quails communicate?

A: They use a range of sounds like crowing, clicking, and chirping to communicate dominance, contentment, and social interactions.

Q3: What safety measures are needed for button quails?

A: They have plenty of room to fly up in their enclosure and provide soft materials to cushion any unexpected landings to prevent injuries.

Q4: What are some unique behaviors of button quails?

A: Button quails exhibit a fascinating "dust bathing" behavior to clean their feathers, and males perform elaborate courtship displays, including a characteristic crowing and unique dance to attract females.