Peach Tree Farm

Our Bobwhite Quail

The bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) which received its name from a distinct, whistled "bobwhite" call is a small, but plump bird that measures 8-11 inches in length and weighs around 6-7 ounces . Like most upland game birds, the bobwhite contains a short but stout beak along with powerful feet and claws. These features adapt the quail for finding and eating the seeds and fruits, which make up a good portion of its diet.

The body feathers of the bobwhite are reddish-brown in color that are mottled with black and white spots with a tail that is gray (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1998). In male bobwhites, the throat is white and a white stripe extends from the bill over the eye to the base of the neck. The region below the eye stripe is colored black and expands under the throat to form a black collar. Female quail lack this black collar and their throats and eye stripes are buff, rather than white (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1998). The bobwhite's mottled coloring serves a protective purpose. When the bird is threatened or alarmed, it often "freezes," allowing its camouflage coloring to blend into its surroundings.

MO Wildlife Hobby Permit Required For Bobwhite Quail and Ringneck Pheasent

Bobwhite Quail For Sale

Our Coturnix Quail

The Adult Male Coturnix weighs about 100 to 140 grams (3 1/2 to 5 ounces). The male birds can be identified readily by the rusty brown colored feathers on the upper throat and lower breast region. Males also have a cloacal gland, a bulbous structure located at the upper edge of the vent which secretes a white, foamy material. This unique gland can be used to assess the reproductive fitness of the males (Cheng, Hickman and McIntyre (1985). The young birds begin to crow at 5 to 6 weeks old. Sanford (19 57) described the voice of the male as a loud, castanet-like crow, producing sound as "pick-per awick" or "ko-turro-neex". During the height of the normal breeding season, coturnix males will crow throughout the night.

The Adult Female: Coturnix are slightly heavier than the male, weighing from 120 to 160 grams (4 to 5 1/2 ounces). The body coloration of the female bird is similar to the male except that the feathers on the throat and upper breast are long, pointed, an d much lighter cinnamon. Also, the light tan breast feathers are characteristically black-stippled.

Coturnix Quail For Sale