Scientific Name: Colinus virginianus
Common Names: Northern Bobwhite, Bobwhite Quail, Bobwhite, Quail, Virginia Partridge, Partridge, Colin
Background: The bobwhite quail belongs to the New World Quail family, and is one of 6 quails that are native to the United States. Bobwhites are a member of the Order Galliformes, which are ground-dwelling chicken-like birds. They get their name from the calls vocalized by the males during breeding season, that sound like, “Bob, Bob White”. Bobwhites are native to the southeastern United States, along with the mid-west as well. Subspecies are found further beyond these areas as well, including a majority of the remaining US states, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Bobwhite Hen from a successful release on a farm - released for pest control amongst the crops
Appearance: Bobwhites are moderate sized, ground dwelling game birds, averaging 7-12 ounces in the wild. Captive raised subspecies range anywhere from 6 ounces all the way up to 2 pounds. They average 9-11.5 inches in length, stand approximately 6-7 inches, and typically have a wing span averaging between 12-16 inches. Unlike many species of quail, bobwhites are extremely easy to sex at mature age. When still young, all birds have a small brown stripe over their eyes, and as they mature, the males will begin to show a white throat and white stripe, coming up the side of the head and over the eyes. The females will have the same pattern, but instead have a brown throat and brown stripe.
Habitat: All of the subspecies of this bird are found in most of the Contiguous United States, along with Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. These birds prefer areas with tall seasonal grass that lie close to open hardwood forests that contain sufficient ground cover. Ideally, bobwhites prefer areas such as thorns, which provide thick cover at the top, but open at the bottom. Bobwhites are commonly found on farmland in the southeastern US and mid-western US, as sufficient food sources are available along with abundant water supply. As the seasons change, the bobwhites location may change depending on what resources that the area provides. Typically, an open field of at least 10 acres is required for a covey to establish themselves.
Threats: Deforestation plays a major role in mortality, as it takes away a lot of the cover required for the survival of this species. Pesticides and insecticides have destroyed game birds in general, not only just the bobwhite quail. Especially many years ago before all the regulations were set in place on chemical in pesticides and insecticides, many of the chemicals were extremely deadly to many animal species. When these chemicals were sprayed on a quail covey’s food source (insects, grains, etc.), it was only a matter of time before the entire covey was wiped out and this practice proved detrimental to the health and population of these quail. Extreme winters also can pose threats. Due to climate shifts and unpredictable seasons, on occasion, all of the quail’s resources, required to survive, can be frozen. If the quails can’t find a water source, they won’t eat. If they can’t find a water source, chances are their food source was too frozen to eat too. Secondly, food is near impossible for them to locate in heavy snows or severe freezes, and this is why they are not typically found in areas that experience yearly heavy snowfall. While this does not happen on a yearly basis, there have been a few notable times in history where this has effected populations in certain areas. Hunters and predators are two of the last main threats posed to bobwhites. Predators to bobwhites include, but are not limited to, coyotes, skunks, owls, fox, snakes, and much more. Mortality rates can be as high as 75% per year with these game birds due to the multiple variables at play against them. Conservation of this species is a necessity and more efforts need to begin to preserve this bird that is so important to this country’s history.
Breeding Season: May – September (Although this may vary some depending on latitude, whether the birds are captive or wild raised, subspecies of bobwhite, and many more factors) Some people choose to use lights to rear birds year round; however, if you have them outside, heat is generally required in order for the males to be fertile. For those interested, I plan to add a post on using lights to induce laying at some point.
Average Clutch: 12 – 20 eggs for wild birds (In captivity, each hen should lay one egg every 1-2 days throughout the entire duration of the breeding season)
Incubation Time: 23-24 days
Adolescent Bobwhites
Raising in Captivity: Raising these birds in captivity is done with ease. They do very well raised in breeder cages in pairs with wire floors, and also do very well when colony raised in aviaries of sufficient size (as long as cover is provided for them to hide in). If you plan on raising them in pairs, it is OK to move them into colonies in the winter and they will usually get along just fine. Moving them into colonies for the winter is actually recommended, if it is possible. Trios can be successful sometimes, but it can be a gamble as to what the final outcome will be; some have great success with trios, others not so much. One thing to watch out for is having too high of a ratio of hens to roosters. Unlike other species of game birds, the hens tend to be the issues with bobwhites – it is not uncommon for the hens to become dominant and kill other hens in the pen if the ratios are not correct.
- For info about making a DIY quail feeder to prevent feed loss, refer to my recent post linked below:
https://steemit.com/homesteading/@bobwhite/diy-quail-feeder-preventing-feed-loss
Subspecies: 22 known
Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus virginianus
Spot Bellied Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus maculatus
Florida Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus floridanus
Key West Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus insulanus
Cuban Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus cubanensis
Jaumave Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus aridus
Texas Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus texanus
Plains Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus taylori
New England Bobwhite Quail – Colinus virginianus marilandicus
Colinus virginianus mexicanus
Puebla Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus nigripectus
Grayson’s Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus graysoni
Masked Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus ridgwayi
Black Headed Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus atriceps
Colinus virginianus harrisoni
Guatamalen Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus insignis
Salvin’s Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus salvini
Coyolocos Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus coyolocos
Godman’s Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus godman
Thayer’s Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus thayeri
Black Breasted Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus pectoralis
Least Bobwhite – Colinus virginianus minor
This is a part of a mini-series that I am putting together, and will link all other posts in subsequent write-ups.
- Part ONE of this series was about the Mountain Quail, which can be found at https://steemit.com/animals/@bobwhite/preserving-a-unique-quail-species
Sources for this write-up come from an old blog of mine - Game Bird Flock (which is no longer an active page)