Bird · GBIF taxon 9791464
Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianusAlso known as Virginia Quail, Bobwhite Quail
Northern bobwhites spend most of their lives in tight-knit groups called coveys, foraging on the ground through brushy fields and overgrown fence lines. When startled, the entire group explodes into the air with a sudden, loud whir of wings before settling quickly back into cover. Their famous two-note whistling call rings out across grasslands during the breeding season, signaling territories and attracting mates.
CamouflagedWhistlingGround-dwelling
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasshoppers
- Beetles
- Weed seeds
Predators
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Coyote
- Bobcat
ThreatsHabitat loss from intensive farming, urbanization, and brush clearing
HabitatsGrasslands, pine savannas, agricultural margins, and brushy fields
Life span2 to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderGalliformes
- FamilyOdontophoridae
- GenusColinus
- SpeciesColinus virginianus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognize this small, plump ground bird by its intricate brown-and-tan mottling and bold eye stripe.
- Support conservation
- Keep a respectful distance and avoid walking through thick native grasses where nests are concealed.
Responsible observation
- Listen for Calls: Distinctive whistling bob-WHITE notes reveal their location during spring and early summer.
- Scan Field Edges: Look along brushy fence rows and overgrown pasture borders in the early morning.
- Leash Pets: Keep dogs under control near grassy nesting habitat to prevent flushing coveys.
Predator "Cooper's Hawk - immature" by Kaaren Perry is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative ALAN SCHMIERER / CC0 · cc0
Close Relative (c) Annika Lindqvist, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Annika Lindqvist · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Maria Janeiro, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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