There's a quail on my roof that is seriously bumming me out.

[Coventina]

There are quail in our neighborhood and usually every spring we see baby quail.

Not this year, for whatever reason.

The one baby quail we saw was dead in our backyard.

Everyday, an adult quail sits on our roof by the yard and calls mournfully for hours.
For at least two weeks now! It's not something that EVER happened before we found the dead baby.

I can't help but think the two are connected, and it's really, really sad.

[shenmue]

1. I has a sad

Sorry.

[In_The_Wind]

2. Some birds do feel the loss when a mate or offspring dies.

I'm sorry the flock didn't get back to your neighborhood this year. Maybe the weather has delayed their migration.

[Kingofalldems]

3. Are you sure it's not a dove?

Their coo or call always sounds mournful but that's what they do.

Is this it?

[Coventina]

4. Yes, I am sure. I can see it.

It's got that funny little top feather.
If I can find a picture and post one I will.

It's a Gambel's Quail.

[csziggy]

8. The call may be a good sign - they call to other members of their covey

Habits and Habitat
Gambel’s quail inhabit brushy and thorny vegetation of southwestern deserts. They are often closely associated with honey mesquite, although these plants are not essential to the birds’ survival. The birds range up to a mile, often along river valleys and drainages. They use shrubs and trees as a nighttime roost, resting a few inches to a few feet off the ground, a habit not typically found in other desert quail. They appear commonly in the suburbs.

These gregarious birds often join together in groups known as coveys, which may total 20 or more individuals in fall and winter. They produce a location or assembly call, "ka-KAA-ka-ka," to locate a mate or other covey members, issuing the call most often in midmorning or late afternoon. They emit a distinct "chip-chip-chip" when alarmed.
http://www.desertusa.com/mag01/apr/papr/gambel.html

The male could just be calling to other of his group.

This site http://birds.audubon.org/birds/gambels-quail has some of their calls, but it isn't clear which is the "location or assembly call."

[Coventina]

5. We do have mourning doves around here as well.

I find their calls to be quite soothing.

[orleans]

6. a show of tremendous love

for without love we cannot grieve

how very sad

so many of us do the same (but without sitting on the roof)

others that hear the call are unaware of the reason why.
but you know and understand and sympathize which is really all someone else can ever do.

grief is a process. apparently even for quails.

[Coventina]

7. Thanks. Your reply made me cry (again) but I also feel soothed.

Thanks.

[icedtea]

9. Quail On Roof

I have a very young quail on my roof.......
I believe it's a baby all alone...

When I go outside he runs right to the edge crying for help!

He won't come to me just runs back when I try to catch him or her..

I go inside but as soon as I go back out he hurries over like he wants help...

Crying out to me and breaking my heart...

I have bird experience and could hand feed the little guy if needed?

ANY SUGGESTIONS?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. You've posted in a thread that hasn't seen any action in months.

It's highly unlikely that anyone will be able to answer you with good advice.

I guess I would try hand feeding. I don't know what they eat.

I'm sorry...

Good Luck, and Welcome to DU!

[Rhiannon12866]

11. He needs to ask Omaha Steve!

We fed a quail over the winter once. He kept turning up on the porch and we put a lightbulb out for him for warmth - and I found actual quail food. He was awfully cute...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. Thank you, dear Rhiannon!

I didn't know he was an expert!

Sounds like you're pretty expert too. Good on ya!

[Rhiannon12866]

14. I was hoping he could catch OS while he was still around

He feeds all sorts of birds, has posted pix of his yard, and Marta takes great bird photos. Thanks, my friend! You have a way of making new DUers feel at home here...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. Aw, dear girl, you're so kind!

You did a lot more than I did!

[Rhiannon12866]

16. I read a lot of posts these days... ;)

Especially those from our most recent join, LOL. But my heart also goes out to the little bird and OS came to mind as the one here who would most likely know.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. I tend to read more than post these days too...

And I do keep my eye on the new posters...

Glad you do that too!

I'm going to PM you in a moment...something to ask.

[Rhiannon12866]

18. Me, too!

It's a jungle out there! I'll be here...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. PM sent!

[Rhiannon12866]

20. And acknowledged...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. Response sent!

[Rhiannon12866]

12. I'd suggest you ask this member who knows a lot about birds

Here's his latest post so you can reply to him. Good luck and welcome to DU!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1474318