Colinus

Colinus is a genus of small to medium-sized New World quails in the family Odontophoridae. Members of Colinus are ground-dwelling birds that inhabit open woodlands, brushy edges, grasslands, and agricultural landscapes across the Americas. The best-known species is the Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus, which is widely distributed in eastern and central parts of the United States and into Mexico. The genus includes several other species that occur from Central America to parts of northern South America.

Physically, Colinus quails are compact, short-tailed birds with rounded bodies and cryptic brown or gray-brown plumage that provides camouflage on the ground. Males and females look alike to a large extent, with only subtle variations in plumage or size in some species. They have strong legs for walking and scratching the leaf litter to find food.

Behavior and ecology: Colinus species forage mainly on the ground for seeds, leaves, buds, berries, and insects. They often form coveys outside the breeding season. Reproduction takes place on the ground; females lay clutches of roughly 8–12 eggs, and incubation lasts about 22–23 days. Chicks are precocial and relatively independent soon after hatching. Vocalizations include distinctive calls, with the Northern bobwhite famous for its namesake whistle.

Conservation and status: Habitat loss, agricultural intensification, pesticide use, and changes in fire regimes have affected some Colinus populations. Conservation efforts commonly emphasize habitat restoration and the preservation of early-successional cover to support breeding and foraging.