Please call our wildlife hospital hotline (541-441-7193) if you have found an injured or orphaned wild quail species or Wild Turkey.

Understanding Wild Quail and Wild Turkeys

• Southern Oregon is home to two different species of wild quail: the California Quail and Mountain Quail. The California Quail is the more common of the two, and is a resident of the Rogue Valley. Wild Turkeys are also very common throughout the Rogue Valley. Although considered upland game birds, we are permitted to rehabilitate wild quail and turkey.

***Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)***

Wild Turkeys are especially susceptible to HPAI. Some neurological symptoms may indicate Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). If the turkey shows unexplainable neurologic signs (head ticking back and forth, wobbliness, falling over), do not attempt to capture it. Please call us immediately for further guidance.

When to Intervene

If you see any of the following symptoms or situations, the quail or turkey likely needs medical attention. Please call our Wildlife Hospital at 541-441-7193 for further assistance.

• Obvious wounds, actively bleeding/swelling/bruising
• Respiratory distress (barely breathing or labored open-mouth breathing)
• Neurological symptoms (head ticking back and forth, falling over, stargazing, etc.)
• Shivering or trembling
• Drooping or uneven wings and unable to fly
• Entangled in barbed wire/fencing/netting
• Hit by car
• Hit a window
• Caught by a cat or dog

How to Contain an Adult Injured Wild Turkey

To capture and contain an injured (non-flighted) Wild Turkey, you will need…

• A thick towel or blanket
• Heavy gloves
• A ventilated box or pet carrier

1. Calmly, quietly, and slowly approach the turkey holding the towel or blanket.
2. Gently toss the towel or blanket over the turkey’s body, making sure to cover the head and wings
3. Carefully scoop the turkey up in the towel or blanket and place it in a ventilated box or pet carrier. Do not grab the wings of the turkey, but rather grasp it with the wings placed against its body (think of holding a football). Hold the turkey away from your body to avoid the turkey’s spurs (if male).
4. Once securely contained, close the box or pet carrier. Put the turkey in a warm, dark, quiet location and transport it to Wildlife Images as soon as possible during patient intake hours, 9am-4:30pm 7 days a week. Please call our Wildlife Hospital hotline (541-441-7193) so we know to anticipate your arrival and can ensure we can offer rehabilitation services.

Orphaned Quail and Turkeys

• If you found a baby quail or turkey alone and you suspect it may be orphaned, please follow these steps before bringing it in…

1. Observe the baby from at least 25 feet away and listen for any signs of adult quail or turkeys nearby. Monitor the baby for at least an hour.
2. If no family appears after an hour: gently pick up the baby quail or turkey, place it in a ventilated box or pet carrier, and play quail or turkey calls loudly from a speaker. 
3. Leave the area and monitor from at least 25 feet away to see if any adults appear. Repeat this for the entire day until dusk.
4. If no family has appeared by dusk, keep the baby in the secure container overnight in a dark, quiet, and warm location. Do not offer the baby any food or water at this time unless advised by a clinic staff member.
5. Contact our Wildlife Hospital hotline at 541-441-7193 for further assistance in the morning.

***Do NOT offer food or water to an injured, sick, or orphaned animal unless instructed to do so by clinic staff. Many species require a specialized diet or formula, and young animals and birds can be easily aspirated without proper training and equipment.***