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Northern Bobwhite - (Colinus virginianus)

April 25, 2010 - While we are always surprised and happy to see new birds in our yard, this was by far the most astonishing sight ever. He appeared under our side maple tree, walked casually around pecking on the ground, and occasionally ran out of sight. He reappeared about three times in the span of a few hours (3:55 to 6:17 PM to be precise).  Our regular group of birds seemed a little startled at first, but then just seemed to accept his presence.

The bobwhite was so named because of the male's loud whistle of bob-WHITE or bob-bob-WHITE. This chunky, little game bird is the only native quail in eastern North America.

The rarity of the northern bobwhite in upstate NY (near the Vermont border) could be caused by natural favorable conditions (tendency to move north during higher population years). It would be wonderful to have them come back to an area they occupied several decades ago. 

Another possible reason for this visit could be due to artificial relocation for the purpose of hunting this game bird. We are more that happy to feed any escapees from that scenario.
 
 
 

Size:

Length: 8.5-10.5 in

Weight: 6-6.3 oz Wingspan: 11-16in

ID:

Male: Relatively small quail; gallinaceous (chicken-like) appearance; mottled reddish brown, buff and black upperparts; rufous red sides and upper breast; flanks striped reddish and white; underparts white and scalloped with black; short tail grayish; white throat and stripe over eyes (black area separates the two and extends from under the eyes to meet under white throat area); slender black stripe above white eyebrow; crown mottled reddish brown and black (this small crest can be raised and lowered; bill dark and short with slight downward overlap of maxilla (upper bill)
Female: Buff colored where male is white
Juvenile: Similar to adult female but duller and smaller (up to age of three months); no black on underparts

Habitat:

Farmlands, grasslands, brushy areas, roadside ditches

Diet:

Available seasonal seeds, leaves, insects, berries and nuts; may eat from ground feeders or under feeders (millet, cracked corn, milo)

Family Behavior:

Mating Habits: Monogamous (possibly some polygamy); 1 brood per year

Local Breeding Period: May to early August
Nests:Depression in ground, lined with grasses and partially covered with dome of vegetation; built by both sexes
Eggs: 12-16 white or creamy-white; mostly female incubates 23-24 days (incubates after all eggs are laid); all hatch within 24 hours
Nestlings: No real nesting time; leave nest with parents as soon as feathers dry; born precocial (eyes open; down covered; able to walk)

Fledglings: fed by both parents; 1st two weeks brooded for warmth; 12 to 14 days flies short distances: adult size at 15 weeks

Social Activities:

Fall and winter: Forms covey or groups up to 30 birds; roost together on ground forming a tight ring; all heads face out to see and escape quickly from danger; side by side and all tails in center creates a closeness of the circle which also promotes warmth.

Late spring and summer: Separate for breeding purposes.

Range:

Eastern half of the US (below Minnesota and the Northeast) south through eastern Mexico to Central America

Vocalization:

Year-round whistle of hoy; loud whistle by males of bob-white during mating season; covey call quoy-kee
Sighted in our Backyard: Seen only once on April 25, 2010. This nonmigratory bird is described by all bird reference material I have, as residing in New York only on Long Island. Quite a mystery!
Lifespan: Up to 6 years
 
 
 

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