“Awkward” would probably be the most benevolent word I could use to describe the explosive launch into flight of the California quail. Certainly, the words graceful or athletic do not come to mind.

Unlike birds whose plumage is mostly blue, the green coloring of a green bird’s feathers is primarily a combination of pigment and structure, not just a trick of the light. These birds’ emerald green, ...

If you’d like to participate in a global birdwatching event from the perch of your own choosing, try the upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count.