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In the United States, the Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) lives in a few areas of montane west Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. It also occurs in parts of western Mexico. The male has a dramatically patterned face which makes it quite unmistakable. The male at left was photographed in June, 2001, in Jeff Davis Co., Texas, with a Canon EOS 3 and EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens on Fuji Velvia. Although often quite conspicuous, the species can often hunker down in grass when it is threatened, and become very difficult to see. The male below remained motionless even though human observers were just a few feet away. That shot was taken in June, 1998, at the same location as above, but with a Canon T-90 and FD 400mm F/5.6 lens on Sensia 100. |
