Avian kidney glomerular filtration rate linearly relates to body mass, but glomeruli (diameter, μm) vary in size from small (12–15) to large (25–30). Intercellular junctions of glomerular podocytes are important for filtration function, but their localization and properties, especially those of adherens junctions (AJs), are not well characterized in birds. Quail glomeruli contain podocytes with numerous foot processes and slit diaphragms. We investigated whether glomerular podocytes of Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica (3–12 wks of age), express AJ proteins. We found: 1) podocin, N‐cadherin and alpha‐ and beta‐catenins are prominent in fractions from isolated glomeruli (immunoblot analysis) and are localized along glomerular capillary walls (immunofluorescence microscopy); 2) quail podocytes have at least two types of intercellular junction, slit diaphragms and junctions with close contact (electron microscopy); and 3) in both junction types, significant accumulations of immunogold particles for N‐cadherin and alpha/beta‐catenins are visualized. The results suggest that podocyte intercellular junctions have AJ properties and that they may play a role in supporting the glomerular capillary wall against high intraglomerular pressure. (Grant‐in‐Aid for Scientific Research from the Japanese Ministry for Education, Science, and Culture 21591021 to Yaoita and 21390307 to Nishimura)