Northern Bobwhite

Colinus virginianus

The Northern Bobwhite is a familiar bird in the eastern USA, and are found from southern New England west through the Great Lakes into Nebraska, and all lands south into southern Mexico. A population used to live in Arizona, and while efforts to re-establish this group have been made, they are rarely seen there anymore.

Science has divided these well-studied birds into 22 subspecies, some were once considered as separate species. When conditions are good, Bobwhites may raise three broods in a season, which can be up to 25 chicks. Yet despite this rate of procreation, habitat loss has resulted in a diminishing population, with declines estimated at 85% from 1966 to 2014.