Noticed feathers missing on the Bobwhite quail I just got.

[kiaya611]

I was able to take a better look at the quail that I just got and noticed that some of the birds both male and female had a section of feathers missing on their top hind end.  I assume that this is normal in a colony breeding situation where many birds are kept...maybe where it is over crowded?  I know that when I had parrots, some of them would pluck each other's feathers when mating  or during mating season.

Am I on the right track?

I am sure these are really basic questions, but I am in my learning curve so please have patience with me.

Thank you.

[jk]

You're on the right track. Missing feathers at the base of the tail are most likely due to overcrowding...

[CharlieHorse]

They should clear up and look nice after you provide or when they are given more room to themselves.  I bought some adult birds once that looked like they had been run through a fan because of the close quarters in which they were kept. I felt the need to help them out more than anything.