What's its Name?

With the advent of new varieties of button quail that arrived from Europe in 1991, a large variety of names have been used by many breeders in an attempt to identify these various mutations. This has happened to such an extent that now many different names can be found in the literature and on internet web sights, so as to confuse the true identity of some of the mutations. Prior to 1987, there were only 2 varieties of Button Quail available in the US, the normal Wild Type and the Silver. In 1987 the Red Breasted mutation was discovered and established by me. With the exception of the White Button quail imported by Cecial Gunby of GA prior to 1991, all other color varieties found in the US after that date were imported by Acadiana Aviaries, Garrie Landry, in the fall of 1991. Below you will fine a list of Button Quail mutations, their correct names and below that name other names that I have found which breeders are currently using often to suggest or designate something new or different.

Recognized mutations of the Button Quail in the US

• Normal Wild type
• Silver
• Red Breasted
• White
• Cinnamon
• Blue Face
• Golden Pearl
• Pink eyed Dilute (not well established at this time)

All other names used represent either combinations of these above colors to create a new variety or an illegitimate name used by others to designate something unique or different or incorrectly identified.

Recognized Legitimate Names for Combinations of the above varieties

• Ivory - A combination of Silver and Cinnamon
• Slate - A combination of Silver and Blue Face
• Smoky - A combination of Silver, Cinnamon and Blue Face
• Silver Red Breasted - A combination of Silver and Red Breasted
• Cinnamon Red Breast - A combination of Red Breast and Cinnamon
• Splash - A selection from within White for increased spots (this is not a pied)
• Fawn - Another name for Cinnamon often used for darker versions of Cinnamons
• Blue Face Single Factor - A name used to designate the difference within Blue Face having only one gene for BF
• Blue Face Double Factor - A name used to designate a very dark Blue Face, with 2 genes for BF, males and female often show white facial and breast markings at hatching and at maturity.
• Blue Face Cinnamon / Blue Face Fawn - a combination of Cinnamon and Blue face genes
• Silver Pearl - A combination of Silver and Golden Pearl
• Cinnamon Pearl - A combination of Cinnamon and Golden Pearl
• Blue Face Pearl - A combination of Blue Face and Golden Pearl.

Illegitimate and/or unrecognized names of Button Quail colors (this list below represents names that either are used for particular selections within a color variety or names that were used those who failed to recognize the true identity of the variety or thought it was something new and different enough to warrant a distinct name)

• Darth Vader - A selection of Red Breasted in which the male has an entirely black face. the breast may be all red or partially blue (name coined by Jeff Bridges of Colorado)
• Calico - a name used by some to describe female Red Breasted Quail
• Barred - a name used by some to describe female Red Breasted Quail
• Pied - a name used by some to describe the Splash button quail and or normal wild type with some white feathers (to my knowledge no true Pied Button Quail are in the US.)
• Cream - a name used by some to describe very pale versions of the Cinnamon Button Quail.
• Tangerine - a name used apparently to describe very bright Cinnamon
• Lavender - a name used by some to describe a Cinnamon Blue Face in which the back color is very Grey against a prominent blue face and breast.(name coined by Jeff Bridges of Colorado)
• Grey Form Cinnamon Blue face - a name used by some to describe a Cinnamon Blue Face in which the back color is very grey against a prominent blue face and breast.
• Rusty Nail - A name attributed to a combination of Cinnamon, Blue face and Red Breasted and sometimes regular Cinnamon Red Breasted when the males are very red.
• White Capped - a name attributed to Golden Pearl males which often show a prominent white forehead. Females never show this color.
• Golden Red Breasted - a name used to describe brightly marked female Red Breasted Button Quail
• Blue - A name attributed to Male Blue Face Buttons (female never show blue)
• Chocolate - A name attributed to female Blue Face Buttons which generally are dark chocolate brown.
• Tuxedo - A named used to describe Double Factor Blue Face buttons what show a pronounced amount of white on the breast and often facial areas.

This list is by no means final, as new names are always appearing.

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