Two very important points must be made in regards to this research. First, this recovery took place in good to excellent quail habitat. Population response in marginal habitat may take years to recover and some poor habitats separated from good quail habitat may never again hold quail following severe winters. Secondly, the recovery of quail on the Decatur-Wayne area took place even though quail were still hunted during the period of reduced numbers. Food Habits Quail generally forage twice a day, in early morning and mid to late afternoon.
Bobwhites are primarily seedeaters, using both weed seed and waste grains.
Corn and soybeans form the major portion of the diet in fall, winter and spring. Among weed seeds, ragweed is often consumed. Insects are an important food item for adult females during the reproductive period because of the high protein demands of egg laying. Young quail also feed very heavily on insects, gradually shifting to a greater proportion of seeds as they near adult size. The foods consumed by quail, however, may vary from year to year and season to season based on availability.