How to Clean a Bobwhite Quail

The bobwhite quail is a small game bird named for the call it makes, which sounds much like “bobwhite.” The bobwhite quail is non-migratory and lives in the eastern United States and Mexico, according to Cornell University. The bird’s small size makes learning how to clean a bobwhite quail much less laborious than larger game birds.

Things You'll Need

  • Disposable plastic gloves
  • Cloth or paper towels
  • Game shears or knife
  • Alcohol wipes
  • Clean water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wipe dirt, blood and debris off the carcass. Wear disposable protective gloves during the cleaning (or dressing) process.

    • 2

      Cut off both wings at the joint and remove both legs at the knee joint close to the bird’s body, according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The wings can be broken at the joint and torn off without using a knife or shears. Hold the body snugly with one hand while gripping the wing at the joint with the thumb and fingers of the opposite hand. Twist off the wings. Remove the legs in the same manner if you prefer.

    • 3

      Ring the head off or cut off close to the body. To ring the bird’s head grip the neck with the thumb and forefingers and twist off.

    • 4

      Skin the carcass by grasping the skin at the top of the breast pulling the skin and feathers downward until skin and feathers come off the body. Remove the tail by pulling the long flat feathers out or by cutting the tail off close to the lower body.

    • 5

      Remove the intestines, heart and lungs. Make a small crosswise cut at the bottom of the breastbone to reveal the quail’s body cavity. Pull out the intestines, heart and lungs located in the quail’s body cavity. Take care not to cut the intestines or crop as these two places may contain bacteria. The crop is an extension of the quail’s esophagus located at the lower part of the esophagus. The crop holds undigested seed and food, according to Texas Agricultural Extension Service.

    • 6

      Examine for any pellets that entered the skin or body and remove by pinching or pushing them out. Rinse the skinned bird in cool water, pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Place the quail in an airtight freezer bag, refrigerate or freeze until you are ready to cook and serve.