Competition Between Bobwhite And Scaled Quail For Habitat In Texas

Between 20 May and 10 June 1976, habitat surveys and bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and scaled quail (Cal/ipep/a squamata) whistle counts were conducted along 133 24-km randomly established transects in Texas. In 3 of 4 ecological areas of Texas where both species occurred, each species selected different habitats during the breeding season. Scaled quail selected the more dense, shorter shrub habitat, whereas bobwhites were located in the more open, taller vegetation types. In the fourth area, the High Plains, habitat use overlapped. The positive correlation of whistle counts of the 2 species, and a lack of adequate cover suggested there was direct competition for habitat during the breeding season.