How Saudi Arabia's Quails Became Both a Delicacy and a Conservation Priority
Quail hunting is banned in Saudi Arabia, but conservationists worry that these migratory birds are still under threat.
JEDDAH: At dawn over the Arabian Peninsula, the sky comes alive with birds tracing ancient migratory paths through Saudi Arabia — a natural crossroads linking East Asia, Europe and Africa.
They are more than mere travelers.
They serve as sensitive indicators of ecosystem health, playing vital roles in seed dispersal, plant pollination and insect control — all essential for maintaining ecological balance.
Among the many species passing through is the small but mighty quail.
Though modest in size, quails carry outsized environmental and cultural significance, deeply woven into the region’s heritage.
Quails are omnivores, feeding on grains, plant buds and insects.
They breed in Europe and Central Asia before migrating south to Africa for the winter.
Saudi Arabia serves as a critical stopover on both legs: "They cross the Kingdom on both journeys," said Hany Tatwany, a Saudi ornithologist and biodiversity expert.
Upon arrival, quails settle in fields and wild areas with dense grass cover, where they hide during the day and continue migrating by night.
Saudi Arabia’s geography places it on one of the world’s most critical bird migration routes.
The Kingdom acts as a seasonal refuge for hundreds of species, with 550 recorded to date — including 219 breeding birds, 280 migratory species, and 51 vagrants.
A covey of common quails camouflaged among dense grass during their migratory stop in central Saudi Arabia.
(SPA) Of these, 27 are listed as globally threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Thirteen bird species — including various quails — are found nowhere else other than in or near the Arabian Peninsula, further underlining the region’s biodiversity.
Known for being extremely cautious, quails are more often heard than seen.
The male frequently produces a rhythmic series of calls that repeat every few seconds.
Quails have a long history of interaction with humans, especially as a food source.
Today, they are farmed domestically.
DID YOU KNOW?
Quails live in "coveys," social groups of adult pairs and their young that flock together in dense grasslands.
They respond to each other’s calls, a behavior exploited by illegal hunters using calling devices.
Commercial quail farming began in Saudi Arabia in the 1980s, initially to feed falcons and later as a culinary delicacy.
While several species have been domesticated worldwide, the common quail remains the primary type used in farming.
This breed has more meat and lays more eggs than the others," said Tatwany.
"The poultry industry in the Kingdom started around the late 1970s to early 1980s, mainly as feed for falcons used in falconry, serving as a preferred substitute for pigeons." Quail eggs, in particular, have gained favor in Saudi kitchens.
Their small size, delicate flavor and high nutritional value make them a staple ingredient in both traditional and modern dishes.
They appear in appetizers and salads, adding both taste and nourishment.
In main courses like kabsa and mandi, quail eggs often top rice and meat dishes, lending color and flavor.
They are also featured in dishes such as masabeeb and qursan and are popular as boiled or fried snacks.
Nutritionally, quail eggs are rich in protein, vitamins A, B and D, and essential minerals such as iron and phosphorus — making them a small but powerful addition to the Saudi table.
Efforts to protect quails are part of a broader initiative led by the Saudi National Center for Wildlife.
Its Bird Management Division surveys bird species and their distribution across the Kingdom, focusing on protected and proposed conservation areas, biodiversity hotspots, and wetlands.
By studying migration routes, species abundance, and spatial distribution, the division aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of Saudi Arabia’s avian biodiversity.
They are more than mere travelers.
They serve as sensitive indicators of ecosystem health, playing vital roles in seed dispersal, plant pollination and insect control — all essential for maintaining ecological balance.
Among the many species passing through is the small but mighty quail.
Though modest in size, quails carry outsized environmental and cultural significance, deeply woven into the region’s heritage.
Quails are omnivores, feeding on grains, plant buds and insects.
They breed in Europe and Central Asia before migrating south to Africa for the winter.
Saudi Arabia serves as a critical stopover on both legs: "They cross the Kingdom on both journeys," said Hany Tatwany, a Saudi ornithologist and biodiversity expert.
Upon arrival, quails settle in fields and wild areas with dense grass cover, where they hide during the day and continue migrating by night.
Saudi Arabia’s geography places it on one of the world’s most critical bird migration routes.
The Kingdom acts as a seasonal refuge for hundreds of species, with 550 recorded to date — including 219 breeding birds, 280 migratory species, and 51 vagrants.
A covey of common quails camouflaged among dense grass during their migratory stop in central Saudi Arabia.
(SPA) Of these, 27 are listed as globally threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Thirteen bird species — including various quails — are found nowhere else other than in or near the Arabian Peninsula, further underlining the region’s biodiversity.
Known for being extremely cautious, quails are more often heard than seen.
The male frequently produces a rhythmic series of calls that repeat every few seconds.
Quails have a long history of interaction with humans, especially as a food source.
Today, they are farmed domestically.
DID YOU KNOW?
Quails live in "coveys," social groups of adult pairs and their young that flock together in dense grasslands.
They respond to each other’s calls, a behavior exploited by illegal hunters using calling devices.
Commercial quail farming began in Saudi Arabia in the 1980s, initially to feed falcons and later as a culinary delicacy.
While several species have been domesticated worldwide, the common quail remains the primary type used in farming.
This breed has more meat and lays more eggs than the others," said Tatwany.
"The poultry industry in the Kingdom started around the late 1970s to early 1980s, mainly as feed for falcons used in falconry, serving as a preferred substitute for pigeons." Quail eggs, in particular, have gained favor in Saudi kitchens.
Their small size, delicate flavor and high nutritional value make them a staple ingredient in both traditional and modern dishes.
They appear in appetizers and salads, adding both taste and nourishment.
In main courses like kabsa and mandi, quail eggs often top rice and meat dishes, lending color and flavor.
They are also featured in dishes such as masabeeb and qursan and are popular as boiled or fried snacks.
Nutritionally, quail eggs are rich in protein, vitamins A, B and D, and essential minerals such as iron and phosphorus — making them a small but powerful addition to the Saudi table.
Efforts to protect quails are part of a broader initiative led by the Saudi National Center for Wildlife.
Its Bird Management Division surveys bird species and their distribution across the Kingdom, focusing on protected and proposed conservation areas, biodiversity hotspots, and wetlands.
By studying migration routes, species abundance, and spatial distribution, the division aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of Saudi Arabia’s avian biodiversity.
