California bobwhite

The **California bobwhite** (*Colinus shastensis*), also known as the **western bobwhite** and simply as the **bobwhite quail**, is a species of ground-dwelling bird, most closely related to the northern bobwhite (*Colinus virginianus*), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the wetlands, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, scrublands, and deserts across western United States, Baja California, and southwestern Canada to help boost biodiversity. The California bobwhite is a moderately-sized quail, ranging from 24 to 28 cm (9.4 to 11.0 in) in length with a 33 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) wingspan. As indicated by body mass, weights increase in birds found further north, as corresponds to Bergmann's rule. It has the typical chunky, rounded shape of a quail. The bill is short, curved and brown-black in color. This species is sexually dimorphic. Males have a white throat and brow stripe bordered by black. The overall rufous plumage has gray mottling on the wings, white scalloped stripes on the flanks, and black scallops on the whitish underparts. The tail is gray. Females are similar but are duller overall and have a buff throat and brow without the black border. Both sexes have pale legs and feet. The clear whistle "bob-WHITE" or "bob-bob-WHITE" call is very recognizable. The syllables are slow and widely spaced, rising in pitch a full octave from beginning to end. Other calls include lisps, peeps, and more rapidly whistled warning calls. Like most game birds, the California bobwhite is shy and elusive. When threatened, it will crouch and freeze, relying on camouflage to stay undetected, but will flush into low flight if closely disturbed. It is generally solitary or paired early in the year, but family groups are common in the late summer and winter roosts may have two dozen or more birds in a single covey. The California bobwhite's diet consists of plant material and small invertebrates, such as ticks, snails, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, scorpions, crickets, and leafhoppers. Plant sources include seeds, cacti flesh, desert plant fruits, wild berries, partridge peas, and cultivated grains. It forages on the ground in open areas with some spots of taller vegetation. The species' sexual is best described as ambisexual polygamy. Either parent may incubate a clutch for 23 days, and the precocial young leave the nest shortly after hatching. The main source of nest failure is predation, with nest success averaging 40% across their range. However, the nest success of stable populations is typically much higher than this average. Brooding behavior varies in that amalgamation (kidnapping, adopting, creching, gang brooding) may occur. An incubating parent may alternatively stay with its young. A hen may re-nest up to four times until she has a successful nest. However, it is occasional for California bobwhites to hatch more than three successful nests within one nesting season. The conservation status of the California bobwhite is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the California bobwhite's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.