bobwhite

The bobwhite, or northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), is a small to medium-sized ground-dwelling bird in the family Odontophoridae. It is native to North America, with a range that covers the eastern United States, parts of the Midwest and South, and extends into Mexico and parts of Central America. The name bobwhite comes from the male’s distinctive two-note whistle that sounds like “bob-white.”

Adults measure about 22–28 cm in length and weigh roughly 140–220 g. Plumage is predominantly brown, with a pale throat patch in the male and a duller, more uniform brown in the female. They have a short tail and rounded body, providing effective camouflage in leaf litter and brush.

Bobwhites inhabit semi-open landscapes that provide dense ground cover, such as grasslands, brushy fields, hedgerows, and early-successional woodlands. They are typically social outside the breeding season, forming coveys that range from a few to several dozen birds, and they are more territorial during breeding. They are ground-foraging birds, using short bursts of flight to escape predators.

Their diet is primarily seeds and plant matter, with insects playing an important role for nestlings. The breeding season runs from spring to early summer. Females lay clutches of roughly 8–12 eggs in a shallow ground nest, with an incubation period of about 23–24 days. Both parents may participate in incubation and care for the precocial chicks, which leave the nest soon after hatching.

Populations have declined in many areas due to habitat loss, fragmentation, pesticide use, and predation. Conservation efforts emphasize restoring and managing grassland and brush habitats, implementing controlled burns, and reducing pesticide exposure. The bobwhite is also hunted as a game bird in many parts of its range, and management programs sometimes include supplemental releases.