Survival and Flight Characteristics of Captive-Reared and Wild Northern Bobwhites in Texas

Abstract

Introductions of captive-reared northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) to bolster native populations have been largely unsuccessful. We compared the survival and flight characteristics of game-farm (n 46), first-generation (F 1) (n 48), wild translocated (n 45), and wild native (n 50) northern bobwhites. In November 1993, all birds were radio-collared, leg banded, sexed, and aged. Birds were then released on a study area in Brooks County, Texas in groups of about 15, 1 bird at a time. Upon release, the direction of departure, speed, and time required to reach cover were recorded. The mean flight speed and distance flown for wild bobwhites was significantly greater (P 0.01) than captive-reared bobwhites. Wild native, wild translocated, and F 1 groups were non-randomly distributed in direction of departure at release site (P 0.01). Survival of wild groups was significantly higher than captive-raised groups (P 0.05). The major cause of mortality in all groups was mammalian depredation. Fifteen F 1 quail and 1 game-farm quail integrated into wild coveys. Our results reconfirm the inability of game-farm and first-generation northern bobwhites to survive in the wild, and we offer flight speed as one potential causal factor.