Composition of the Winter Diet of the Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae Vigors 1830) in Arizona and Sonora

Abstract

The Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) is a species of high hunting interest, considered a bioindicator of temperate savannas. Dietary studies are essential for obtaining information to establish management and conservation strategies for this species. In this context, the objective of this research was to determine the effect of climate variation on the diet composition of the Montezuma quail in Arizona and Sonora. One hundred and sixteen Montezuma quail maws were obtained from specimens harvested by hunters during various hunting seasons (December-February) from 2006-2007, 2010, 2019-2020, and 2021-2022 in southeastern Arizona and through scientific collection permits in Sonora. Maw content was analyzed using macrohistological analysis. The top 10 foods that made up more than 90% of the diet in Arizona were Oxalis spp. bulbs (28.32%), Quercus spp. acorns (27.20%), Cyperus spp. rhizomes and bulbs (20.91%), Setarias spp. seeds (6.75%), Phaseolus acutifolius beans (2.77%), Paspalum sp. seeds (2.49%), Euphorbia spp. seeds (2.32%), Panicum spp. seeds (1.56%), and Rhus spp. fruit/seeds (1.29%). The top 10 foods that made up more than 95% of the overall diet in Sonora were Oxalis spp. bulbs (48.02%), Phaseolus acutifolius beans (39.43%), Panicum spp. seeds (7.05%), Quercus spp. acorns. (2.70%), ants (0.66%), Lupinus neomexicanus seeds (0.42%), arthropods (0.26%), unknown seed (0.24%), Hexasepalum teres seeds (0.19%), and Phaedon sp. beetle (0.18%). Total and individual composition, as well as overall diet diversity in winter in Arizona, were directly related to summer precipitation and hunting seasons, age, and sex of quail.