Quail are small, ground-dwelling birds often kept for their eggs or as game birds. They belong to the family Phasianidae, which also includes chickens, turkeys, and pheasants. Quail are typically smaller and more compact than other members of this family, and they have short, rounded wings and plump bodies. They are found in various habitats, including woodlands, fields, and deserts, and they can be found on every continent except Antarctica.