Northern Bobwhite Feeder

We have 1-2 covies of Northern Bobwhite on the ranch. Some 3 years ago they disappeared during that drought. However a few months ago while I was busy in the house I looked out at the Oasis and 4 Bobwhite appeared - 2 males and 2 females.

They continued coming in either the 4 or occasionally a pair. Later on during the breeding season while walking up to the barn, I interrupted a pair with 4 or so chicks all dashing in different directions while the parents were making assaults upon my hiking shoes. I retreated to the house to give them some space. Several days later I observed a pair with one larger chick. I suppose the others failed or this could have been the other pair with a single chick. Since that time I have not e seen any young or immature birds.

I did have one day where there were 5 birds - perhaps one of the female looking birds was one of the chicks that had reached a molt stage difficult to separate from an adult. However, I fear the worse as there was limited grasshopper food that the adults use to feed the young.

Anyway, I decided to build a Bobwhite feeder. After some research I discovered a YouTube video produced my Dr. Dale Rollins, Professor & Extension Wildlife Specialist, Texas AgriLife Extension. Dr, Rollins is a specialist on Northern Bobwhite. His video described how to build a low cost simple feeder.

1. Acquire a 5 to 10 gallon metal pail.

2. Drill 9/16 holes about 1 inch about the bottom all around it.

3. Using a screw driver,, stick it it the hole and push down causing the hole to have a lip below to allow the kernels to easily fall out.

4. Place the bucket on 3- 6 inch blocks above the ground.

5. Fill with Milo.
6. Cover and stabilize it so deer, cattle or raccoons cannot knock it over.

He failed to mention how to train the quail to learn how to figure out how to get the Milo kernels out by pecking a them.

So I couldn't find a 5-10 gallon metal bucket, but I did find a 10 gallon oval metal bucket at Tractor Supply that works fine. Drilled and shaped the holes, filled with Milo and set it out close to the house so I could observe and photograph. Very quickly the White-wing Doves, Fox Squirrels and Cardinals learned how to use the feeder while the Quail just stood around and scratched the soil find kernels that the other critters were releasing.

I was about to give up, when finally I saw one of the Quail pecking at the holes - Finally success. Now if he will just teach the rest of the covey.




Quail feeding on their own