Winter feeding habits of quail in longleaf-slash pine habitat
Links
- Image: Image
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Crops of bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) collected in 11 years (7,147 in winter and 92 in other seasons) in the longleaf-slash pine (Pinus palustris-P. elliottii) forest type were examined for food content. Seeds of woody plants made up 45% or more of the volume of food found in crops in 9 of the 11 winters. Seeds of pines (Pinus spp.), drupes of red bay (Persea borbonia), and acorns from various oaks (Quercus spp.) were large-volume food items in certain years. As a group, seeds produced by legumes were next largest in volume, varying from 2 to 48% in the 11 winters. Seeds of partridge peas (Cassia spp.), common lespedeza (Lespedeza striata), bush clovers (Lespedeza spp.), milkpeas (Galactia spp.), and tick-clovers (Desmodium spp.) were impor tant species. Volumes of seeds of grass, spurge, and sedge families were usually less than 12% for each group, and volumes of green leaves and animal matter less than 5% each. Panic (Panicum spp.) and paspalums (Paspalum spp.) were principal grass species. Availability of seeds influ enced consumption by forest-dwelling quail. In habitat management for quail, a variety of trees and shrubs should be maintained in the forest type to better insure a dependable food base, season to season and year to year. Similarly, desirable herbaceous food plants should be encour aged by fire and mechanical means.
Suggested Citation
Reid, V.H., Goodrum, P.D., 1979, Winter feeding habits of quail in longleaf-slash pine habitat: Special Scientific Report - Wildlife 220, 39 p. .
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Federal Government Series |
| Title | Winter feeding habits of quail in longleaf-slash pine habitat |
| Series title | Special Scientific Report - Wildlife |
| Series number | 220 |
| Year Published | 1979 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Description | 39 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, South Carolina |