​Date Published: April 2011
Assessment SummaryBobwhite quails (Colinus virginianus) are small galliform birds with
rounded wings and a square tail. They are native to northern and central
America and can be found from southeastern Canada to central and eastern USA to
eastern Mexico and Guatemala. Populations of subspecies cubanensis occur
on Cuba and the Isle of Pines.
The Bobwhite quail has been introduced and re-introduced successfully in
parts of the USA. This species also has established introduced populations in
Haiti, Dominican Republic, Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera, England, Bahamas,
Portugal, Italy, Puerto Rico and New Zealand.
The natural distribution of bobwhite quail includes areas similar in climate
to Tasmania. Bobwhite quail are very adaptable and there is therefore potential
for this species to establish in Tasmania. If the Bobwhite quail established in
Tasmania it is likely to compete with the Brown quail (Coturnix ypsilophora)
and the Stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis) for food and other
resources. The establishment of the Bobwhite quail in Tasmania also has the
potential for some impact on agricultural industries as the species is known to
be capable of consuming various commodities such as cereal grains, oilseeds,
legumes and fruit.
In Tasmania the Bobwhite quail is currently a 'controlled animal' under the Nature
Conservation Act 2002.
Assessment Documentation
Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) (510Kb)