It all started on December 29, 2023. I was walking the dog that morning and glanced over at one of the wooded areas and saw a bird that I did not recognize. Hmm... kind looks like a quail, but I'm not up on my quails. So, I took out my phone to see if I could get some pictures. The bird was busy scratching the leaves looking for something to eat and not shy, so I managed to get in pretty close. They were not very good pictures, so I decided to go home and get my camera. The Bobwhite was still there when I came back and very willing to pose for a picture!
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The Northern Bobwhite poses for his picture taking
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| Oh, but don't miss how beautiful my tail is! |
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I didn't see him again that day or the next, but on the Christmas Bird Count day, there he was in our yard among the sparrows and juncos, chowing down on the white millet seed that I scatter for the ground birds! Nice!
Since that day, I have seen him more days than not. Occasionally there are 2-4 days where I don't see him; he could either be off somewhere or I just missed him. Ultimately, we named him "Bobby". ;-)
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| Except for the white facial stripes, he is really well camouflaged! |
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Well, it is now 10 weeks later and he is still here! Now that it is lighter when I take the dog out in the morning (whoops... that was before the time change), he is waiting for me under the bush and runs out to meet me! "Where is my breakfast?? Where is my breakfast???" A couple of days ago he was running circles around my feet and this morning, he followed the dog and me as we walked down the driveway!! Tame much?
I think, and others who know about these things also think, that he has escaped from a farm that raises the Northern Bobwhites, so he is familiar with people feeding him. There are no natural bobwhite coveys left in Massachusetts, except for a small one on the Cape, but there are people who raise them, either for training hunting dogs, to stock hunting areas, or for food.
Keeping that in mind, I talk to him as I feed him, but I do not try to touch him or feed him from the hand or let the dog sniff him. If he is going to be wild, I want him to be a bit afraid of people and dogs!
He doesn't fly, but either runs or sometimes flutters. I emailed Julie Zickefoose as she has had tame birds, and she confirmed that the bobwhites are so heavy and have such short wings that they don't fly much.
It remains to be seen as to what he decides to do as mating season draws closer. The other birds are sure advertising their territory! But there are most likely no mates near here for Bobby, so he may leave in search of a mate.
Well, it has been loads of fun having Bobby with us this winter, so whatever he does, we are grateful to have been able to look out the kitchen window and watch him as he eats or takes a dirt bath or runs at the bluejays to keep them away from "his" food!
Here is a video of him this morning as I was feeding him (white millet, peanuts and a few dried meal worms). Listen for his soft little sounds (ignoring the bluejay and the chirps from the woodpecker).
Be safe, Bobby!!
