Range, Movements and Habitat Use by Bobwhites in Southeastern Louisiana Pinelands

Radio-tagged northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) were monitored from November 1978 to April 1979 to determine their ranges, movements, and habitat use in pine (Pinus spp.) and mixed pine-hardwood habitats not managed for quail. Minimum ranges varied from 18.4 to 58.4 ha. Average daily straight-line distance movements were 272 m in winter and 185 m in spring. Ranges were greater, but movements were similar to those reported for forest habitats managed for quail. Fifty-three percent of telemetric fixes were within 50 m of an edge, with c1earcuts and bottomland transition zones preferred over road edges. Food-searching seemingly dictated the movements of the quail.