northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 8 inches

• Small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling bird

• Slight crest at top of head

Adult male:

• White chin and supercilium

• Black cap, eyeline, nape and throat

• Reddish-brown body stippled with white and black spots

• Pale belly

Adult female:

• Buff throat and supercilium

• Dark cap, eyeline, nape and throat

• Reddish-brown body with darker back

• Black and white streaks and chevrons about underparts and back

• Pale belly

"Masked Bobwhite":

• Dark face

• Unmarked cinnamon breast and belly

• Reintroduced with limited success to southeast Arizona

Similar species:

Female Montezuma quail may resemble northern bobwhite, but has a head
that appears helmeted rather than crested. Montezuma quail also lacks the
strongly contrasting supercilium and throat of northern bobwhite and has a
darker belly.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Permanent resident
Breeding Habitat: Successional-scrub
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 12-20
Length of Incubation: 23-24 days
Days to Fledge: 6-7
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Primarily seeds; lesser quantities of green plant matter fruit and
insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August U
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February R

 

 

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