2026 Stubble Quail abundance and distribution survey results

The results of Victoria’s 2026 Stubble Quail abundance and distribution survey show an estimated 3.2 million Stubble Quail in Victoria, an increase of 0.9 million from 2025 survey.

The results of Victoria’s 2026 Stubble Quail abundance and distribution survey show an estimated 3.2 million Stubble Quail in Victoria, an increase of 0.9 million from 2025 survey.

The survey was conducted in January this year at 76 randomly selected native grasslands, dryland crops and non-native pastures throughout Victoria.

Teams of wildlife ecologists walked almost 250 kilometres of transects on public and private land, flushing and counting Stubble Quail at each site. Total abundance was then estimated based on the extent of quail habitat in Victoria, determined from satellite imagery.

GMA Principal Scientist Jason Flesch said trends in abundance varied between regions, with a general tendency towards declines in the north and increases in the south.

“The population densities decreased in the northern Mallee, Wimmera, and Goulburn Broken regions and increased in the more southern North Central, Port Phillip, Westernport and West Gippsland regions.”

“While the data from this study doesn’t allow the causes for the difference in distribution across the state to be determined, it is reasonable to speculate that the dry conditions during 2025 may have caused Stubble Quail to relocate to more southern areas”, Dr Flesch said.

To understand the drivers of Stubble Quail distribution and dispersal, the GMA in partnership with Deakin University has recently commenced research into the spatial ecology of Stubble Quail in Victoria.

This year’s abundance and distribution survey is the fifth of an ongoing annual monitoring program to ensure the long-term sustainability of Victoria’s Stubble Quail hunting season.

Data collected will be used to track population trends and improve our understanding of the ecology and sustainable management of this native game bird.

The survey was conducted by experienced independent ecologists from Wildlife Unlimited Pty Ltd. The Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research undertook the data analysis and prepared the Abundance Estimates for Stubble Quail in Victoria report.

The final technical report is available at Quail Research.

Contact: Nick Foster | 0417 293 365 | nick.foster@gma.vic.gov.au