Birdsong field guide
Black-throated Bobwhite
Colinus nigrogularis
A small, ground-dwelling New World quail characterized by the male's striking black throat and bold, scaly plumage patterns. It is a southern relative of the Northern Bobwhite, occupying open and brushy landscapes in Middle America.
What it sounds like
A clear, whistled 'bob-white!' or 'poor-bob-white!', similar to the Northern Bobwhite but often higher in pitch.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- Males exhibit a distinct jet-black throat and chin, whereas females have a pale buffy-cinnamon throat.
- They are highly social birds, usually seen foraging in small family groups called coveys that huddle together for warmth and protection.
- The species is predominantly granivorous, relying on the seeds of grasses and legumes, though it supplements its diet with insects during the breeding season.
- Unlike many other quail, this species is often associated with limestone-based soils and pine-savanna ecotones.
- When threatened, they prefer to run through dense undergrowth and will only take flight as a last resort in short, explosive bursts.
Habitat
Pine-oak savannas, grassy forest clearings, brushy fields, and edges of tropical deciduous forests.
Range
The Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, Belize, and localized areas of Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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