bobwhite quail

1. Bird Name: The bird name is Bobwhite Quail, also known as the Northern Bobwhite. Its scientific name is Colinus virginianus.

2. Appearance: Bobwhite Quails are petite and have a roundish physique. They are characterized by a short and stout bill and a pointed crest adorned on the top of their head. They possess a rich brown color, speckled with white and black dots across their bodies. The males have a distinctive white throat and eyebrow stripe which contrasts notably against their dark head. The females, however, boast a more subtle light brown colored stripe in replacement of the white.

3. Size: On average, a Bobwhite quail measures around 24-28 cm (9 to 11 inches) in length. They exhibit minute sexual differences with the males slightly larger than the females. The weight varies between 129–230g (4.5–8 oz).

4. Habitat & Distribution: These birds primarily inhabit North and Central America with ample populations distributed throughout the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands. They are ground-dwelling birds and prefer a range of habitats that include grasslands, open pine or hardwood forests, and farmlands.

5. Interesting Facts: Here are a few intriguing facts about the Bobwhite quail. Unlike many birds, they are non-migratory and prone to be sedentary. They are named ‘Bobwhite’ due to their distinctive ‘bob-white’ call. Furthermore, these birds form ‘coveys’ (small flocks), particularly during the winter months, to keep warm.

6. Diet: Primarily, a Bobwhite Quail’s diet consists of leaves, seeds, and insects. They are known to adjust their diet based on the season – feeding on more insects during the breeding season and shifting to a diet dominated by seeds and foliage during the offseason.

7. Behavior & Sounds: The Bobwhite Quail is famous for its unusual activity of dust bathing. The bird indulges in scraping the ground creating hollow spaces where they throw dust over their bodies, a process believed to control parasites. Their primary vocal call sounds like a whistled ‘bob-white,’ which carries a pitched tone.

8. Conservation Status: The species, according to IUCN Red List, is termed ‘Near Threatened’. This is due to empirical evidence of significant population decline mainly because of habitat loss and intensive farming practices.

9. Lifespan: A typical Bobwhite Quail can live up to 5-6 years in the wild. But due to predation and hunting, many birds seldom reach this age. They have much longer lifespans in captivity, sometimes up to 12 years.

10. Additional Notes: The Bobwhite Quail is also known as ‘Peto’ in Spanish and ‘Bécasse’ in French. Humans often enjoy watching and hearing these birds, given their unique ‘bobwhite’ song and stunning appearances. They play a key role in their ecosystems, acting as both predator and prey. They help to control insect and weed populations by devouring harmful bugs and undesirable seeds, whilst also serving as a food source for higher predators. Furthermore, they are a popular game bird, highly sought after by hunters creating significant economic activity and often leading to their domestic breeding and release.