Although they are capable of short bursts of strong flight, New World quails prefer to walk, and run from danger (or hide), taking off explosively only as a last resort.

Plumage varies from dull to spectacular, and many species have ornamental crests or plumes on their heads.

Most of the information about the breeding biology of New World quails comes from North American species, which have been better studied than those of the Neotropics.

Chicks are precocial and quickly leave the nest to accompany the parents in large family groups.

Northern bobwhite and California quail are popular gamebirds, with many taken by hunters, but these species have also had their ranges increased to meet hunting demand and are not threatened.

[4] P. nahani (Dubois 1905) P. petrosus (Gmelin 1789) Rhynchortyx cinctus (Salvin 1876) Ogilvie-Grant 1893 Oreortyx pictus (Douglas 1829) Baird 1858 ?D.