Bobwhite Quail

Looks how to spot one

feathers

A plump, round, short-tailed quail patterned in mottled reddish-brown, buff and grey for camouflage. Males have a crisp white throat and eyebrow stripe edged in black; females show buff in those places instead.1

Personality what they are like

A lively, alert ground bird that likes company of its own kind. It is more of a backyard or aviary bird to watch and listen to than a lap pet.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moves and forages on the ground; flight pens with vegetation give room to run and short flights.21

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Provide clean water and feed daily, with enough feeder space (about 2.5 cm per adult bird) so all can eat. Very young chicks need shallow or covered waterers.2

Home where they are happiest

Adults need about 0.09 m2 (1 sq ft) per bird in floor pens or 0.05 m2 (0.5 sq ft) in cages; flight pens should give about 0.19 m2 (2 sq ft) per bird with plant cover, a mesh top and predator-proofed edges. Wire floors should use 6 mm (1/4 in) mesh.2

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Wild birds eat seeds, berries, grains and small invertebrates like crickets, beetles and grasshoppers. In captivity, feed a game bird starter of about 28% protein to 8 weeks, a 20% grower to 14 weeks, then a 13-14% maintenance ration, rising to 18-20% for breeding birds.12

Company who they like around

A covey species: pairs in spring, family groups in late summer, and winter groups of two dozen or more. Best kept in groups rather than alone.1

The story where it all began

The northern bobwhite is a native gamebird of eastern and central North America, long known for its whistled call. It is widely reared on game farms and in backyard pens for release, hunting and enjoyment.12

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Listed as Near Threatened.1

Taxonomy

About 20 subspecies are recognised.1