Oreortyx pictus
May 4, 2007: Groveland area, Tuolumne, CA, United States
We spotted this pair of birds as we were driving back down the mountain out of Yosemite National Park. We were no longer in the park boundary at the time. They were preparing to cross the road, and as we were driving at the time, I only had a quick glimpse, but it was enough to see that the feather ornament on top of their heads was straight, not curved like that of the California Quail. YAY! My first life bird of this trip!
May 6, 2012: Boggs Lake Ecological Reserve, Lake, CA, United States
Seen from the car while driving near the lake. Another quick view, but that feather “crest” is distinctive.
Let me know what you think!