Colinus cristatus
The Crested Bobwhite (Colinus cristatus) is a captivating New World quail, measuring approximately 20-23 cm (8-9 inches) in length and weighing between 130-190 grams. Its most distinctive feature, and namesake, is the prominent, often erect, reddish-brown to black crest, which is typically larger and more vivid in males. Plumage generally features a mottled brown body with intricate fine barring and spotting, rufous underparts, and a striking white throat patch bordered by black in males; fem...
Found in open grasslands, savannas, cultivated fields, and the edges of dry forests, typically inhabiting low to mid-elevations up to 1800 meters.
Primarily granivorous, feeding on a wide variety of seeds, supplemented with leaves, small fruits, and invertebrates, especially during the breeding season.
Crested Bobwhites are primarily diurnal, foraging actively during the day. Outside the breeding season, they form coveys of 5-15 individuals, roosting communally on the ground in dense vegetation at night to conserve warmth and provide safety. Their foraging strategy involves scratching at the le...
The Crested Bobwhite exhibits a broad, resident distribution across Central and northern South America. Its range extends from Costa Rica and Panama, through Colombia and Venezuela, and eastward into Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, reaching parts of northern Brazil. They are also found on Tr...
Least Concern
- The Crested Bobwhite has numerous recognized subspecies (over 10), each with distinct geographic distributions and subtle variations in plumage, especially in crest size and facial markings. - Unlike the Northern Bobwhite's iconic 'bob-white' call, this species has a more varied whistling vocal...