northern Bobwhite Quail

Description:

spotted at santa clara ranch. Northern Bobwhite belong to the order Galliformes, which are birds described as "chicken-like" with feet adapted for scratching. Northern Bobwhite are much smaller than Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey. Northern Bobwhites are mottled-gray, brown, black, and white in color. Males are distinguished from females by their pure white throat and eye bands and females buff-colored. As in most birds, the female generally is more modestly-colored than the male. Identification tips are: Length: •8 inches. •Small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling bird. •Slight crest at top of head. Adult male: •White chin and supercilium. •Black cap, eyeline, nape and throat. •Reddish-brown body stippled with white and black spots •Pale belly Adult female: •Buff throat and supercilium •Dark cap, eyeline, nape and throat. •Reddish-brown body with darker back. •Black and white streaks and chevrons about underparts and back. •Pale belly.

Habitat:

In the High Plains and Northern Rolling plains the Northern Bobwhite inhabit mostly native rangeland, woodland, and brushland ecosystems in varying densities. They prefer habitats with a mixture of grassland, cropland, brushy areas and woodland interspersed to provide abundant areas of "edge," which include the margins of habitats where two or more cover types come together.