The North American Quails, Partridges, and Pheasants

Abstract

This book documents the biology of six species of New World quails that are native to North America north of Mexico (mountain, scaled, Gambel's, California, and Montezuma quails, and the northern bobwhite), three introduced Old World partridges (chukar, Himalayan snowcock, and gray partridge), and the introduced common (ring-necked) pheasant. Collectively, quails, partridges, and pheasants range throughout all of the continental United States and the Canadian provinces. Two of the species, the northern bobwhite and ring-necked pheasant, are the most economically important of all North American upland game birds. All of the species are hunted extensively for sport and are highly popular with naturalists, birders, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The New World quails and Old World partridges share many basic aspects of social and reproductive behavior, such as gathering during nonbreeding periods into small, usually closely related coveys. They also all exhibit prolonged monogamous pair-bonding, biparental brood care, reduced sexual dimorphism in adult plumages and body mass, and a high diversity of vocalizations associated with covey, family, and pair interactions. As relatively small species with high mortality rates, they have evolved rapid periods to sexual maturity, unusually large clutch sizes that are among the largest of all birds, and pairings that regularly attempt to renest following nest failures. By comparison, the ring-necked pheasant is one of the Old World pheasants, which form less cohesive and less tightly structured flocks and have evolved nonmonogamous (polygynous or promiscuous) breeding strategies. Adult pheasants exhibit strong sexual dimorphism in plumage, body mass, and sexual behavior. Adult males have sharp tarsal spurs that are used during fights when establishing dominance status, and they perform some of the most spectacular sexual advertisement displays of all birds. Clutch sizes average considerably smaller than those of quails and partridges, whereas brooding durations and durations to sexual maturity are longer. The book totals more than 85,000 words and includes about 1,100 literature citations, 29 pages of drawings, 27 photos, and 11 maps. Together with an earlier volume on grouse, it completes a survey of the biology and behavior of all 19 native and introduced species of North American quails, partridges, and pheasants.

Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and a Simple Mixture of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)

“…A key objective was to determine how oral exposure to the PFAS via the drinking water of adult birds during a typical reproductive season (~90 d) influenced egg laying and viability, as well as offspring survival, size, and growth. In the environment, water is introduced to the adult after reproduction has begun because that is when adults require water (Johnsgard 2017; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2017). We wanted the water exposure to be as environmentally realistic as possible.…”

“…Northern bobwhite quail populations are struggling to survive in their native habitat due to many anthropogenic influences and are in need of conservation; therefore, many biological and ecological data are available for this bird species (Johnsgard 2017). Although much of the adult quail water requirement can be accommodated via their diet (e.g., shoots or bugs), during times of stress (e.g., reproductive season) and significant growth their water requirement increases and the wild covey will not survive without a source of water within 1 km of their home range (Guthery and Koerth 1992; Hiller et al 2009; Johnsgard 2017; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2017). Although water may not be their primary route of exposure, PFAS are likely to be closer to 100% bioaccessible in water versus food and are introduced to quail during vulnerable life stages such as reproduction, growth, and development.…”

“…This species of quail is amenable to laboratory conditions, is chemically sensitive, and offers historical reproductive data and general reproductive testing protocols. Northern bobwhite quail populations are struggling to survive in their native habitat due to many anthropogenic influences and are in need of conservation; therefore, many biological and ecological data are available for this bird species (Johnsgard 2017). Although much of the adult quail water requirement can be accommodated via their diet (e.g., shoots or bugs), during times of stress (e.g., reproductive season) and significant growth their water requirement increases and the wild covey will not survive without a source of water within 1 km of their home range (Guthery and Koerth 1992; Hiller et al 2009; Johnsgard 2017; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2017).…”

Historical specimens and the limits of subspecies phylogenomics in the New World quails (Odontophoridae)

“…Originally named for the serrated edge of their mandible (from the Greek odonto , tooth, phor, bearer, i.e. tooth- bearer) (Johnsgard, 1988), New World quails are distinguished by their complex plumage patterns and occasional head ornamentation, ranging from crests to teardrop-shaped plumes to single- feather “spikes.” The family reaches peak diversity in southern Mexico and Central America, where 17 species are found and up to eight species may co-occur (Johnsgard, 1988).…”

“…For example, the numbers of odontophorid species and subspecies have fluctuated dramatically through time (Fig. 2), largely due to the difficulty of ascribing consistent taxonomic boundaries to a group that displays remarkable phenotypic variability (Johnsgard, 1988). As a result, different taxonomies recognize anywhere from 27 to 35 species distributed among ten genera (Carroll, 2019; Clements et al, 2019; Dickinson and Remsen, 2013; Johnsgard, 1988).…”