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Wild About Illinois Birds
Quail, Turkey, Prairie-chickens and Pheasants
Family and Species Gallery
Order Galliformes - Grouse, quail and turkeys are varied in size with short, rounded wings and small, broadened bills. These birds eat vegetation. They spend a lot of time on the ground so their feet are adapted for walking and scratching the turf.
Family Odontophoridae (New World Quail) - Quail are the only members of the pheasant order which are native to the New World. They live in forests, woody plains, deserts and cultivated reas. The northern bobwhite is a member of this group.
northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
Family Phasianidae (Partridges, Grouse, Turkeys, and Old World Quail) - Partridges, pheasants, grouse, ptarmigans and turkeys have a medium- to large-sized, brown body and spend most of their time on the ground.
wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) [state endangered]
ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) [nonnative]