Good habitat requires an interspersion or mixture of woodlands, brush, grass, and croplands.
As many as 10 to 30 birds may form a covey in which they forage and roost closely together. An open overstory is the most important component of quail habitat. An abundance of quail can be found in areas of early successional stages such as those recently tilled, burned, or cut over. After such disturbance, quail may remain for 3 or 4 years. However, if ground litter and understory become too thick to easily find food and move around, quail may relocate to another area of early succession.