Joann Merritt's Essays

Do Quail Have A Drinking Problem?
November, 1990

Are Quail addicted to water, social drinkers or teetotalers? When they gather in coveys is that a support group meeting?

In an article about quail for the sixth grade program at Sibley Environmental Center, Burr Williams wrote “Quail rarely ever drink water.” I questioned that statement. According to John K. Terres in Birds of North America, quail come in for water every day. Reader’s Digest’s North American Birds explains that Scaled Quail are able to thrive far from moisture, but will take advantage of daily opportunities to drink at man-made water holes. According to National Geographic’s Wonder of Birds, some birds in North America never drink directly, but obtain sufficient moisture from the foods they eat. My questioning Burr’s statement has resulted in some interesting reading for me and also some lively conversations with friends.

Billy Houston, who ranches south of Stanton, told Harold he has seen quail come to water, stand around awhile, maybe one would drink and then the covey would wander off to the pasture. That’s the same behavior that Burr observed at his pond. John K. Terres said chuckars, which are in the same family (Pheasant) as quail, will come to a watering place when it is hot and dry, and loiter around for an hour or more before leaving. Burr suggested the quail might come around water to get bugs and seeds which would be more plentiful there.

Harvey Bradley has worked on the Floyd Ranch southeast of Midland for 25 years and he asked, “Why else would quail come in and line up on the edge of water troughs if not to drink?” Don replied, “Maybe they’re vain and enjoy seeing their own reflection in the water.” But Harvey insisted that they come to drink water.

For 21 years Doyce Penney pumped a lease east of the old Stephenson Schoolhouse location. On his lease was an unused trough with no available water so Doyce hauled water for the birds as he enjoyed watching the quail and dove come in to drink. If Doyce hauled water and quail drank every day would that make both of them water-haulics? (Virginia says they would be co-dependents!)

Long-time Midlander Mattie Locklar has lived most of her 80-plus years in the country and said quail don’t have to come to water when there’s morning dew on the grass. They also drink from puddles after a rain.

My cousin James Bleiker has farmed and ranched all his life in the Texas Panhandle and he had this comment: “Well, it depends. If there is water available they will become accustomed to it and will come in regularly. If there is no water nearby they can get along without it.”

Dave Harvey, who tends his cows south of Midland, agreed with James. He said when the plague killed rabbits, mice and rats a few years ago his quail also disappeared. Coyotes and other predators probably ate the quail since their other food source was gone.

At Burr’s request we recorded quail calls to use at the Sibley Center. This recording would enable the students to recognize Bobwhite and Scaled Quail by sound. We were pleased with our results. The quail sounded very much like the Sons of the Pioneers singing:

Burr rejected this new recording and conveniently located his old one that he had misplaced.

No, quail don’t have a drinking problem, it’s people that have the problem agreeing on the quail’s drinking habits. After all this research I’m thirsty...think I’ll go to the water trough for some cool, clear water.