Bobwhite Quail Characteristics

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Bobwhite Quail Characteristics
EDIT 652 Distant Learning Eric Burke October
22, 2005
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Bobwhite Quail Identifications

• These quail are a small, ground-dwelling member
  of the avian species. These birds command respect
  because of their crafty survival instincts.
• Quail are about 9 to 10 inches in length and
  average about six to seven ounces in weight, with
  females slightly heavier than males.

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Bobwhite Quail Identifications

• Males have white chins and upper throats, a white
  stripe that extends from the bill through the eye
  to the back of the head, and a brown to black
  chest collar under the throat and chin. Feathers
  of the breast and abdomen are white with black
  barring while upper body and body and wing
  feathers are muted tones of brown and gray barred
  with black.

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Bobwhite Quail Identifications

• By contrast, the female is similar, but duller.
  Her markings are more buff colored. Females have
  tan instead of white coloration on the throat,
  chin, eyestrip and under parts. Females also lack
  black neck collars and exhibit brown barring or
  mottling of body feathers.

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Bobwhite Quail Identifications

• Newly hatched chicks have a downy grayish-buff
  underside with black strips down the side and a
  chestnut-red back and head.

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Bobwhite Quail Identifications

• Just about everyone is familiar with male's call
  for which the species is named. The call is a
  whistled bob-bob-white. The male makes this call
  to attract females during the breeding period.

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Bobwhite Quail Identifications

• Bobwhites are a very vocal bird. They are
  constantly calling to check on each other. When a
  group of bobwhites become separated from each
  other, such as chased by predators, they will,
  when the danger passes, start calling back and
  forth to one another until the group is reunited.

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References

• BOBWHITEQUAIL.COM - (http//bobwhitequail.com)
• DUCKS UNLIMITED - (http//www.ducks.org/)
• ALBANY AREA QUAIL MANAGEMENT PROJECT
  (http//www.quailmanagement.com/)