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Northern Bobwhite

Colinus virginianus ORDER: GALLIFORMES FAMILY: ODONTOPHORIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened

A small chicken-like bird of the eastern United States and Mexico, the Northern Bobwhite is an important game bird. It is extensively hunted in some areas. Its loud call announces its name.

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Appearance

Gamebirds
Gamebirds
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized quail.
  • Runs on ground.
  • Small round head with slight crest.
  • Round body with very short tail.
  • Colored reddish and brown.
  • Pale throat and eyestripe white in male, buff in female.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to female, but duller.

Range Map Help

Northern Bobwhite Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult male
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    Northern Bobwhite

    Adult male
    • Pudgy and chicken-like with bold facial pattern
    • Bright white throat and eyebrow
    • Mottled flanks
    • Gray and brown patterned body
    • © Stephen Pollard, Texas, June 2009
  • Adult female
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    Northern Bobwhite

    Adult female
    • Pudgy, rounded body
    • Small, rounded head with small bill
    • White belly
    • Tan-orange eyebrow and throat
    • © Roy Brown, Birdsong Plantation, Grady County, Georgia, October 2010
  • Adult female
    Zoom In

    Northern Bobwhite

    Adult female
    • Rounded head with stubby bill
    • Tan-orange throat and eyebrow
    • Belly mostly white with black scaling
    • © Jeff Loomis, Reeds Beach, Cape May County, New Jersey, June 2009
  • Adult male
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    Northern Bobwhite

    Adult male
    • Stout legs with clawed feet
    • Ruffled crown feathers give crested appearance
    • White and black mottled belly
    • Bold white and dark brown patterned face
    • © Carlos Escamilla, Laredo, Texas, June 2010
  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Northern Bobwhite

    Adult male
    • Bright white throat and eyebrow
    • Rounded body
    • Gray and tan barred body
    • Stout legs
    • © Carlos Escamilla, Laredo, Tennessee, July 2010
  • Adult female
    Zoom In

    Northern Bobwhite

    Adult female
    • Round head with stubby bill
    • Gray and brown patterning throughout
    • White belly with black scaled pattern
    • Orange-tan throat and eyebrow
    • © cdbtx, Lake Kayak, near Monroe, Washington, June 2011
  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Northern Bobwhite

    Adult male
    • Perches upright
    • Short wings and tail
    • Bold white and dark brown facial pattern
    • Stout legs with clawed feet
    • © Danny Bales, Oak Hill, Florida, July 2006
  • Adult male and female "Masked"
    Zoom In

    Northern Bobwhite

    Adult male and female "Masked"
    • Rare "Masked" race endangered and restricted to southeastern Arizona
    • Male shows solid rufous body with black head
    • Female similar to other races of Northern Bobwhite
    • © Brendan O'Connor, Arizona, July 2011

Similar Species

  • Adult female and male
    Zoom In

    California Quail

    Adult female and male
    • More elongated and longer-tailed than Northern Bobwhite
    • Scaled belly
    • Gray scaling on sides of neck
    • Curving top-knot feather on crown
    • © Ben Clock, Point Reyes Station, California, October 2008
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Ruffed Grouse

    Adult
    • Larger than Northern Bobwhite with longer tail and neck
    • No facial pattern
    • Bold, dark barring on belly
    • © Greg Schneider, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, October 2010

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