California Quail - male or female?

[Izaak]

Does anyone have a preference between the male and female california quail for tying soft hackles? If anyone has a photo of any differences or example of flies using the materials would be great!

[Old Hat]

I have only used the males. Very nice colors. Duns and rusty duns with some very cool neck feathers that resemble liitle wings with black tips. The feathers are soft but not what I would say are real soft. I liken them to pheasant feathers which have a bit of stiffness to them but still softer than say a genetic hen.

[Izaak]

Old Hat,

Thanks for that! I have seen photos of a few flies tied with C.Quail and have noticed the black tips you mentioned. They look pretty cool to me too.

Izaak