CALIFORNIA QUAIL
Those plump, short-necked, small billed birds that you see running across the street and under brush are the game birds known as California Quail (aka California Valley Quail, or Valley Quail). They spend most of their time on the ground searching for food but they do fly small distances on short, very broad wings when startled. They usually travel in groups called coveys.
Both sexes have a comma-shaped topknot of feathers projecting forward from the forehead, longer in males than females. Males are rich gray and brown with a black face outlined with bold white stripes. Females are a plainer brown and lack the facial markings.