The forehead is creamy, the throat is black, and the two are edged in white.
Females are less boldly marked than the males, and their plumes are generally browner.
The call of the California quail is a loud, distinctive ka ka kow, with the second note the loudest. The male claims his territory by cackling and posturing. As the result of excessive hunting in the past, the California quail is not as common as it formerly was. However, it is not listed as threatened or endangered by either the federal or state government. Sound conservation practices have allowed the California quail to make a moderate to rapid comeback in most portions of its range.