bobwhite

 

common name for an American henlike bird of the family Phasianidae, which also includes the pheasant and the partridge. The eastern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) is about 10 in. (25 cm) long. Its plumage is mixed brown, black, and white in the male and brown and buff in the female, making it almost invisible against the vegetation of weedy fields and edges of woodland. Bobwhites feed on insects and weed seeds. During much of the year they travel in coveys, sleeping at night in a compact circle, tails to the center. Thus they can fly out in all directions if alarmed. In spring when the coveys disperse, each male selects a territory in which to nest; the characteristic call of “bob-white” functions to attract a mate and to warn off other males. The female is responsible for nest building, and builds a nest on the ground in which she lays 12 to 15 eggs per clutch. Like most quails, bobwhites are monogamous. The large brood follows the hen; when danger threatens, the hen feigns injury until the young have scattered and hidden. Bobwhites are hunted as game birds and are often called quail or partridge; they can be raised on farms and multiply rapidly under protection. Bobwhites are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Galliformes, family Phasianidae.

Bobwhite Quail
Bobwhite by Louis Agassiz Fuertes Bobwhite Call: Media:Quey_bob_white.ogg
Conservation status
Near Threatened
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Aves Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae Genus: Colinus Species: C. virginianus
Binomial name
Colinus virginianus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Bobwhite Quail, Northern Bobwhite, or Virginia Quail, Colinus virginianus, is a ground-dwelling bird native to North America. The name derives from ITS characteristic call.

The Bobwhite Quail is a member of the group of species known as New World quail. This quail primarily inhabitS areas of early successional growth dominated by various species of pine, hardwood, woody, and herbaceous growth. However, quail habitat varies greatly throughout its range which extends from Mexico east to Florida and north into the Upper Midwest and Northeast.

Bobwhites are distinguished by a black cap and black stripe behind the eye along the head. The area in between is white on males and yellow-brown on females. The body is brown, speckled in places with black or white on both sexes, and average weight is five to six ounces (145-200 grams).

It forms what are known as "coveys", groups of five to 30 birds, during the non-breeding season (roughly October-April). During the breeding season, typically beginning in mid-April, the Bobwhite coveys dissolve. Social pairs are typically formed between individuals of unknown relationship. These social pairings potentially result in the formation of a mate bond and subsequent female fertilization and egg formation. Eggs are laid at a rate of approximately 1 per day, and they hatch after 23 days. Eggs are normally white in color with a more pointed end than normal chicken eggs.

Both males and females can incubate nests, with most nests predominantly incubated by females. If the first clutch of eggs is unsuccessful, a breeding pair (may be the same pair or a different pair as that which led to the previous nesting attempt) will attempt to lay, incubate, and hatch additional clutches. If the clutch is successful, chicks are precocial and will leave the nest approximately 24 hours following hatching. The breeding season continues until mid-October, and successful nesters (females) can potentially lay, incubate, and hatch up to 3 clutches.

Bobwhites were previously classed with the Old World quails in the pheasant family Phasianidae, but are not particularly closely related. They and the other New World quails are now given their own family, Odontophoridae.

The Bobwhite's song is a rising, clear whistle, bob-Wight! or bob-bob-White! The call is most often given by males in spring and summertime.

The Bobwhite Quail is a popular and economically important gamebird, particularly in the US Southern States. Habitat degradation threatens wild populations, so it is propagated in captivity in large numbers for release on hunting preserves or natural areas as required by US wildlife agencies. It is also found in many aviaries and is on display in some zoos. In the southern U.S., pearl millet has been identified as a preferred food source for Bobwhite Quail.

Cultural references

• The Bobwhite Quail is the official game bird of the U.S. States of Tennessee and Georgia.

References

• BirdLife International (2004). Colinus virginianus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is near threatened

External links

• ITIS Standard Report Page: Colinus virginianus taxonomic details (includes subspecies)
• Northern Bobwhite Additional information, pictures, sound and video clips
• Aspects of the natural history, economic importance, and propagation of the bobwhite quail.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Northern Bobwhite
• South Dakota Birds and Birding - Northern Bobwhite
• USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter - Northern Bobwhtie
• Stamps
• The Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative

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