They are relatively large for a quail, being 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) long and weighing 5 to 7 oz (140 to 200g.)
Males and females look almost alike, but females have a slightly duller colour. They build their nests on the ground, though they don’t lay eggs every year. When they do, there will be about 10 to 12 eggs with reddish or buff shells. The eggs need 23 to 24 days to incubate, then they will hatch over 3 days. The young will leave the nest within a few hours of being born. The parents will direct them to food, and they will eat it themselves.
When alarmed, Mountain Quail often runs rather than fly. The huddle together at night in a circle, with their tails inward. In winter, they live in groups of 6 to 12 birds.
Mountain Quail are popular with hunters and are considered very good eating.