English: Common Quail, Migratory Quail, Frey Quail, European Quail
Russian: Перепел
German: Wachtel
French: Caille des bles
Mongolian: Эгэл бөднө, Бүднээ
Japanese: ヨーロッパウズラ (Yoroppa-uzura)

Body length: 16-18 cm.

Breeds on open farmland, drawn to vast plains with clover pasture and young corn fields. Warmth-loving; winters in Africa. Heavily hunted on passage in Mediterranean region. In warm springs quite a number of night-flying migrants ‘overshoot’ their destination and end up farther N, when far more than usual heard calling in May/Jun. Nests on ground, often in crops; clutch 8-13.

Identification: Often heard but rarely seen; keeps well hidden, reluctant to fly by day. Very small, like a rather small Pheasant chick, which it somewhat resembles in plumage: buff-brown with dark brown markings above and on breast and head, and with narrow whitish streaks above and on flanks.

• ♂ is black on centre of throat (extent variable, often just a narrow band, thus best judged in front view), ♀ is dirty white. If you do flush a Quail, or see a raptor do so, it looks unexpectedly long-winged, different from other gallinaceous birds; wingbeats fast, flightpath low and direct; quickly drops back into cover.