Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus
Description 2
Bobwhites are small birds (140 to 170 grams) with rounded wings and a square tail. They range in length from 20.3 to 24.7 cm with a wingspan from 9 to 12 cm. Adult males have white facial stripes and throat in contrast to the buff coloration of females and juveniles. Wing feathers of males have sharply contrasting black markings while female wings do not. The base of the bill is black in males and yellow in females. White edges, dark bars, and fine, wavy streaks of color on the reddish brown back and white breast create a mottled appearance to the feathers.
Habitat 3
Northern bobwhites are also found in areas of forest regrowth and grassland habitats that contain a diversity of invertebrates, seeds, and herbaceous plants. Cover that provides protection from predators, weather, and provides nesting material is also essential.
Conservation status 4
Habitat loss, particularly due to the increase in large-scale farming and the reduction of fence rows and suitable habitat plots are thought to be the major factor in population decline. Northern bobwhite are listed as near threatened by the IUCN.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Brian Stansberry, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Northern-bob-white-quail-tn1.jpg
- Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/25064238
- Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/25064237
- Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/25064247
