Overview
This species shows geographically variable male plumage across its range. All forms have a brown back with black spotting on the nape. The head has a white supercilium, a dark line through the eye, a white or brown throat and a short crest. The lower belly is spotted but the rest of the underparts are pale, entirely spotted, or spotted with a rufous chest depending on the subspecies. The female is duller than the male with a buff supercilium and mottled throat.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Bird
- Family
- Odontophoridae
- Genus
- Colinus
- Species
- leucopogon
Habitat
Open savanna with bushes and trees and other open woodland.
Diet
Seeds and insects.
Behavior
The spot-bellied bobwhite forms coveys, groups of three to 15 birds during the non-breeding season. Both males and females incubate nests, with most nests predominantly incubated by females. About 10 white eggs are laid. The chicks are precocial and will leave the nest few hours after hatching. It is most active in the early morning and evening.
Hunting
Upland game bird most effectivily hunted with bird dogs.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.