Numerous copies of rDNA genes form nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) on chromosome and give rise to the interphase nucleoli. Bird species commonly have a single pair of the NOR bearing chromosomes in the karyotype (Schmid et al., 1982). Japanese quail is an exception and has three pairs of chromosomes with active NOR (McPherson et al., 2014). Even within a single NOR array individual sequences may differ (Kim et al., 2018). This work was aimed at studying the individual sequences that make up different NORs in Coturnix japonica. Methods: Using primers to the conserved region of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene, we amplified rDNA the range of fragments from the quail genome karyotype. The rDNA fragments were cloned, sequenced, analyzed bioinformatically and mapped by FISH. Results: Ribosomal gene derivatives were found to localize on the short heterochro-matic arms of all acrocentric chromosomes in the complement. In addition to functional NOR sequences, we have found chimeric sequences containing fragments of transposable elements, fragments of MHC genes and some others. As it was shown earlier active transcription makes NOR a target for transposons and causes mutual amplification of the chimeric sequences of transposons and ribosomal genes (Buzdin et al., 2007). Conclusions: In the genome of Japanese quail transposition of NOR sequences apparently led to the dispersal and amplification of NORs, three of which retained their functionality.