The Colinus virginianus is commonly known as the Northern Bobwhite Quail.   Adult northern bobwhite quails stand 6 to 7 inches (24-27 cm) in height and typically weigh about 6 to 7 ounces. The male's upper parts are reddish-brown, and the belly is pale and streaked. There is a white stripe above the eye and white patch framed in black on the throat. These patches are caramel-colored on the females.  On the females, the feathers on the face are light brown.  The feathers on their body for both male and female are brown, black, buff, and white. Their feather coloration provides camouflage which allows them to hide better. These birds can be identified by their unique color patterns on their bodies. Also you might be able to recognize the males from the females because the females are a little bigger than the males.  

           

Northern bobwhites can be found from southeastern Ontario to Central America. Highest population densities are reached in the eastern United States and Mexico. Bobwhites can also be found throughout Cuba. Populations exist in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and northwestern Mexico. The Northern Bobwhite is most commonly found in its range. Wildlife biologists classify bobwhites as a grassland-forb-shrub habitat dependent species. To survive, bobwhites need lots of clumped, native warm season grasses mixed with some weeds, legumes, briars and other woody thickets. The bobwhite prefers areas where half the ground is exposed and the other half contains upright growth of woody vegetation. Specific requirements change with the seasons. In spring and summer, the bobwhite needs grassland, drainage ditches, roadsides and pond edges for nesting, feeding and roosting cover. In summer and fall, they require cropland for feeding, loafing, dusting and roosting. They depend on dense, brushy areas for food during fall and winter and for escape and roosting cover year round.

 

The northern bobwhite quail is listed as a nearly endangered animal. Over the last 30 years, the Northern Bobwhite population has been declining. The ice storms and heavy snowfall caused many bobwhite deaths in southwestern Ontario. The population has not fully recovered even though there has been some habitat restoration within the bobwhite’s historic range in Ontario.  While the decline in bobwhite populations is discouraging, the good thing is that bobwhites are a prolific species and can respond rapidly to appropriate habitat changes. Bobwhite quail populations can be restored, and this has been done by many people. However, just because people are doing this little will come out of it. Data from BBS shows that quail have declined 4.2% annually. People cutting down forests for housing areas are decreasing the land area that these birds need to live.

           

            Northern bobwhite quails have a very simple diet. They eat a variety of vegetation, seeds, and insects. They mostly eat seeds from annual plants. They commonly eat grain plants such as corn, wheat, and soybeans. The northern bobwhite’s diet depends on season and age. Since these birds eat insects they help control the over population of unnecessary insects. They compete with other birds for their food.

           

Coopers haws, raccoons, opossums, striped skunks, and foxes are all predators of the northern bobwhite quail. When adults with chicks encounter predators, they preform distraction display.  They do this by fluttering their wings or dragging them. This anti predator behavior seems to be learned and is rarely seen in captive reared birds. Their coloration also allows these birds to blend in with their surroundings. This also gives them protection from their predators. 

 

            An interesting fact about the northern bobwhite quail is that the Northern Bobwhite has been used extensively for nearly 80 years in laboratory research to study the behavioral and physiological effects of pesticides on wildlife. Another cool fact is that they are the number one game bird in Indiana.

 

Author: Kamryn C.

Published: 02/2014   

 

Sources: http://extension.missouri.edu/p/g9431 Title of Website: Ecology of Northern Bobwhite Quail in Missouri Date of Access: 2/12/14

                 http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3379.htm Title of Website: Bobwhite Quail Date of Access: 2/14/14

                 http://www.quailforever.org/page/QuailBiology.jsp Title of Website: Meet the Bobwhite Quail Date of Access: 2/12/14

                 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Bobwhite Title of Website: Northern Bobwhite Date of Access: 2/18/14