3/5/2023 0 Comments Bobwhite quailAt night, these coveys roost in a close-packed, outward-facing circle with their tails pointing toward the center, probably to conserve heat and stay alert for predators. Safety in NumbersĮach fall, Northern Bobwhites form groups, or coveys, of three to twenty birds. They add insects, spiders, and snails to the menu during spring and summer, particularly when providing food to their young. Northern Bobwhites feed by gleaning along the ground, consuming a largely plant-based diet of seeds, fruit, stems, and leaves. But sometimes, especially when calling in spring, male bobwhites will occupy a highly visible location, such as atop a fencepost. These quail are more often heard than seen, since they tend to stay within dense low cover where their dappled brown-and-white plumage provides excellent camouflage. They are ground-dwelling birds, preferring to walk or run, although they are capable of strong, short bursts of flight, particularly when fleeing from predators. Like related New World quail species such as Gorgeted Wood-Quail, the Northern Bobwhite has a short, curved bill a chunky, roundish body and a short tail. Sign up for ABC's eNews to learn how you can help protect birds (For example, the University of Missouri Extension Service provides recommendations for landowners who want to increase quail on their property.) This species is a popular game bird and is the well-studied subject of many different management programs. Northern Bobwhite populations are non-migratory, particularly where there is good habitat available. One subspecies, the Masked Bobwhite, is federally listed as endangered. Some of these were formerly considered to be separate species, including the Rufous-bellied Bobwhite and Black-headed Bobwhite. The Northern Bobwhite is divided into a whopping 22 subspecies (including the Florida subspecies featured in the video above). Habitat loss and the increased use of pesticides are thought to be the culprits behind this steep decline-a worrisome trend also noted in other birds sharing similar habitats, including Loggerhead Shrike. It's much more rare today populations plunged between 19, resulting in an overall decline of 85 percent, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. The clear, whistled “bobwhite” call was once a common sound throughout the birds' range. Also known as Virginia quail or bobwhite quail, the Northern Bobwhite is native to the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
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