Creature Feature – Northern Bobwhite
The Northern Bobwhite
Taylor Buley
As of July 2024, there are a total of 459 species of birds living in Illinois. One of these species is the Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), also known as the Virginia quail or bobwhite quail. They share the order Galliformes with three other bird species in Illinois: wild turkey, greater prairie-chicken, and the ring-checked pheasant. Galliformes is the order containing grouse, quail, and turkey families. The Northern Bobwhite is unique because they are the only quail species native to the Eastern United States. They are in the family Odontophoridae or New World Quail, in comparison to Old World Quail in the family Phasianidae such as the ring-necked pheasant.
The Northern Bobwhite is a common and permanent resident of Illinois, meaning they stay within the state year-round. They have a familiar call that sounds like “bob-white” that can be heard in the spring and summer. Bobwhites are short, round birds that are on average eight to 11 inches in length from beak to tail tip. They have rusty-red feathers mottled with white across their chest. The males have a distinctive white eye stripe and white throat feathers, whereas on the females these white areas are more cream or tan colored. There are 22 recognized subspecies of Northern Bobwhites that are distinguishable by their varying plumage.
Northern Bobwhite can be found throughout the state of Illinois in a variety of habitats. They live in grasslands, agricultural fields, meadows, and pine forests. Bobwhite will typically prefer areas that have been recently disturbed by fire or farming. According to the National Bobwhite and Grassland Initiative: “Prescribed fire is arguably the single most effective and cost efficient method of management for bobwhites. Unfortunately, fire has been excluded from much of its habitat, which is a contributing factor to the bobwhites decline.”
Macon County Conservation District is home to many coveys of Northern Bobwhite. At least 20 have been seen at one time as recently as October 2025 at Sand Creek Conservation Area. There also were around 10 seen in the West Lawn right next to the Rock Springs Nature Centers entrance door! Friends Creek Conservation Area is open for upland game hunting in November and December, which includes quail, with a permit.
