Scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) sightings in pastures that were conservatively (late-seral) grazed by cattle (Bos taurus) averaged 10.72 sightings, while moderately (mid-seral) grazed pastures average 4.22 birds. Two major plants in the quail diet, honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), as well as forbs, did not differ in availability between late-seral and mid-seral pastures. Scaled quail tended to prefer moderately grazed pastures in mid-seral stage during wet periods and conservatively grazed pastures in late-seral stage during dry periods. These findings indicate that conservative grazing may enhance quail habitat during dry periods. To assure that quail habitat needs are met, the management goal should be for a mixture of seral stages and grazing intensities.
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