Bear Edinoh

Check & check. Many trees of all sizes, six ponds & two birdbaths. I've gone this route, the many small birds certainly provide assistance & they're just nice to have around, but they just don't keep the caterpillar population in check.

Back to the topic of small fowl; how noisy are Quails? Any other fowl suggestions?

Yes, caterpillars, their population here is explosive, perhaps due to the fact that I have the only yard in the vicinity that isn't predominately sterile, barren grass.

For that same reason it attracts many wild birds, but the regulars just don't cut it. In spring I must squash over a hundred caterpillars every week, and this is across only a small backyard area.

Small birds are plentiful, but they're too content with the ample seed provided within the safe bird feeders to bother with much on the ground. Ground feeder's are what I need.

Quails seemed like a good size, how are they in regards to noise? Are some breeds noisier? Mating calls? ... Ect?

I'm currently living a suburban area with an ordinance against poultry.

With a large fenced yard shrouded by plants though, I'm trying to work a way into getting some low key birds, mainly for pest control, eggs are not a necessity.

The birds must be able to hold their own against a large, though fat & lazy cat. Noise is the key concern, what with neighbors abound. What are some bird suggestions for this situation?