Family: New World Quail (Odontophoridae)
Genus & Species : Oreortyx pictus
Status: Although this is a common resident of the California mountains, but can be a bear to actually track down, let alone see. Does not show up in Arizona.
Other info: Makes a distinctive "Quark" call in the early spring. Here's a recording on Xeno-Canto: www.xeno-canto.org/species/Oreortyx-pictus.
Habitat: Mountain Quail can be found in a variety of montane habitat, from dense chaparrall to conifer forests.
Best Chances: These birds can be notoriously difficult to see, but fortunately they are easy to hear in the spring. One good chaparrall spot is along the hills on the north side of Kitchen Creek Road in the Laguna Mountains, about 2.8 miles north of lnterstate 8. The best spot I've found to actually see this bird is the road up to Black Mountain, and the camping area on the top of Black Mountain. Black Mountain is in the San Jacinto Mountain range, about 8 miles north of Idyllwild.