Colinus virginianus
July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Heard several of these birds in various areas of the park. I called to them, and got a number of responses. I did try to get a glimpse of one and called and followed the response for quite a while, but each time they would get quiet as soon as I came too near, and I was unable to see any of them.
August 7, 1997: Wake County, NC
House Hunting trip to Raleigh/Clayton: I finally spotted my first Bobwhite while Kevin and I were driving home after a full day looking at houses. We were driving down Buffalo Road and I spotted a quail-shaped silhouette by the side of the road. I asked Kevin to turn around and drive back, and sure enough, it was a male Bobwhite sitting a few feet back from the road. He was adorable, with beautifully-patterned and colored plumage. I’m glad to have finally seen this bird, and now I hope that I will see many more while living in North Carolina!
April 26, 1998: Deer Run Court, Johnston County, NC
We’ve got bobwhites!!!! Today, walking home from the neighborhood picnic, Kevin and I flushed a bunch of birds up from near our gravel drive. At first I thought they were mourning doves until I realized that they flew back down into the woods. Immediately, I realized that they had to be quail, but of course they were not cooperating. I got my binoculars and wandered out past the pond area, and I was able to spot movement, and then two brown blobs flushed and flew, but I wasn’t able to see them clearly. I was almost certain they were bobwhites, but since I hadn’t been able to see clearly, I couldn’t be positive. A while later I came back outside for one more look – I just felt that I hadn’t given it enough of a try. Sure enough, while I was back behind the ponds I heard the unmistakeable “bob-white!” calling between me and the street. I didn’t get a look of the bird on this day, but the ID was certainly correct! YAY!
May 3, 1998: Deer Run Court, Johnston County, NC
Flushed several quail out of my yard – they went across the street and promptly hid before I had a chance to get a good look! Brats!
May 4, 1998: Deer Run Court, Johnston County, NC
Ah! I finally got a good look at one of these elusive guys! While walking up the gravel drive, I heard a rustling in the brush. I stopped and took a closer look . . . sure enough: a lone male trying to pretend he wasn’t there. Actually, I was able to be quiet enough that he never flushed . . . he just wandered back into the woods where he was able to feel safe. I am thrilled about having quail here on our property, especially after waiting so long to finally see one, and now they are hanging around here all the time!
May 7, 1998: Deer Run Court, Johnston County, NC
Had a wonderful view of this bird early in the day. I didn’t even notice him until he flushed when I got about five feet away. He flew into a tree in the back of the yard, and I was able to have a nice view of him for several minutes. It is really wonderful to walk outside my home and hear and see these birds – I can hear them calling from inside the house, as well!
June 1, 1998: Deer Run Court, Johnston County, NC
June 2, 1998: Deer Run Court, Johnston County, NC
June 7, 1998: Huntington Beach SP, Georgetown County, SC
Heard but never saw this bird as we hiked the Sandpiper Pond Trail. There were also a lot of other bobwhite calls, some of which may have been generated by humans or perhaps even a mockingbird.
June 21, 1998: Okefenokee NWR, Charlton County, GA
I am always thrilled to hear the call of this wonderful little bird.
June 22, 1998: Lake Woodruff NWR, Volusia County, FL
Our first countable birds of the day were a couple of bobwhite quail who ran across the path in front of the car as we were driving onto the refuge. Very cute!
Let me know what you think!