New World quail (Odontophoridae)
Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus. Seeds, green leaves and insects, scratched up in coveys.
New World quail (Odontophoridae)Northern BobwhiteColinus virginianus
- Scientific name
- Colinus virginianus
- Length
- 9.4–11 in
- Weight
- 4.6–6.2 oz
- Nest
- Grass-lined ground scrape at the base of cover
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 7–28 eggs
- Incubation
- 22–24 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Small, round, rufous-brown quail
- Male has a bold white throat and eyebrow
- Female buffy where the male is white
Voice
The clear whistled 'bob-bob-WHITE' that names it.
Diet and feeding
Seeds, green leaves and insects, scratched up in coveys.
Northern Bobwhites by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Florida | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | April–August |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–August |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–August |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | March–August |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Texas | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | April–August |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | May–August |
Frequently asked
What do bobwhites eat?
Seeds, green leaves and insects, scratched up in coveys. At feeders: millet, cracked corn.
How big is a Northern Bobwhite?
9.4–11 in long and 4.6–6.2 oz.
Do bobwhites use birdhouses?
No. Grass-lined ground scrape at the base of cover.
Sources
- Northern Bobwhite — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Bobwhite life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Bobwhite — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.