Valley Quail is short for Cali Valley Quail....a mountain quail is an extremely rare bird. They are bigger than a valley quail. In fact, its the largest of the quail species. They most likely would not be found in the Boise area, that isnt exactly in their traditional range. A hen valley quail has more of a spike than an actual top knot that the male sports, a mountain quail has two long spikes or plumes.