Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus
The Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is a common new world quail found in 18 countries, weighing about 172 g. The northern bobwhite, also known as the Virginia quail or bobwhite quail, is a ground-dwelling bird native to Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Cuba, with introduced populations elsewhere in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.
About the Northern Bobwhite
The northern bobwhite, also known as the Virginia quail or bobwhite quail, is a ground-dwelling bird native to Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Cuba, with introduced populations elsewhere in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. It is a member of the group of species known as New World quail (Odontophoridae). They were initially placed with the Old World quail in the pheasant family (Phasianidae), but are not particularly closely related. The name "bobwhite" is an onomatopoeic derivation from its characteristic whistling call. Despite its secretive nature, the northern bobwhite is one of the most familiar quails in eastern North America, because it is frequently the only quail in its…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The northern bobwhite is a moderately-sized quail, and is the only small galliform native to eastern North America. The bobwhite can range from 24 to 28 cm (9.4 to 11.0 in) in length with a 33 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) wingspan. As indicated by body mass, weights increase in birds found further north, as corresponds to Bergmann's rule. In Mexico, northern bobwhites weigh from 129 to 159 g (4.6 to 5.6 oz) whereas in the north they average 170 to 173 g (6.0 to 6.1 oz) and large males can attain as much as 255 g (9.0 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 9.7 to 11.7 cm (3.8 to 4.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, Malta, Norway, Martinique.
When to see it
Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, with peak activity in May. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Northern Bobwhite?
- The northern bobwhite is a moderately-sized quail, and is the only small galliform native to eastern North America. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Northern Bobwhite?
- The Northern Bobwhite is a medium sized bird weighing about 172 g.
- Where can you see a Northern Bobwhite?
- The Northern Bobwhite occurs in 18 countries, including the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Canada and France.
- What birds look similar to a Northern Bobwhite?
- The Northern Bobwhite is most easily confused with the Crested Bobwhite, the Spot-bellied Bobwhite and the Yucatan Bobwhite.
- Is the Northern Bobwhite endangered?
- The Northern Bobwhite is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Northern Bobwhite for real
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