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Mass Audubon State of the Birds

Find a Bird

Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus

The Northern Bobwhite is declining rapidly, likely due to loss of old field habitat and the introduction of less hardy southern stock for hunting purposes. Its breeding range in Massachusetts is largely restricted to the southeastern part of the state.
Conservation Status
Conservation Action Urgent

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Least Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.37
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.48
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
0.11
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
32.60
National Audubon Societyb
n/a
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
311
Atlas II Blocks
80
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
32
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
7
Percent change
22

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
-10.3%
P-value
significant, declining
Number of routes
18
Recent trend 2000-2010
-10.4%

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
-15
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1963-1979)
-11
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1979-2008)
-18
Significantly different than zero
yes
Christmas Bird Count Sightings By Year
Data reflects sightings per person per hour in order to account for varying numbers of yearly volunteers.

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Grassland, Shrubland

Wintering

Grassland, Shrubland

Climate Suitability Current and 2050