Discover

Today
Animals
Explore
Archive
Search

Use it

Classroom
Resources
Field lab
Quiz
Saved

Trust

Methodology
Sources
Corrections
Accessibility
Contributors

Details

About
Contact
Privacy
Terms
Newsletter

Animal profile

Northern Bobwhite

Colinus virginianus

AvesGrassland with scattered shrubs, old fields, pine savanna and field edgesNear Threatened

Field profile

The northern bobwhite is a small, round, ground-dwelling quail named for the clear whistled call of the male. It lives in coveys through the non-breeding season and feeds on seeds, leaves and insects. Its numbers have fallen sharply across most of its range.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2024-06-09

Northern Bobwhite

Bobwhites sleep in a circle facing outward

A covey of northern bobwhites roosts on the ground in a tight disc, tails together at the centre and heads pointing out. The formation conserves heat on cold nights and means the group can explode outward in every direction at once.

Read with evidence →

Northern Bobwhite | Daily Animal Facts