Northern Bobwhite

The gentle, whistling call of "Bobwhite! Bobwhite!" transports me back to childhood summers in Kentucky, where the days stretched endlessly. That distinct, melodic “bob-white” echoed through the "holler," a soundtrack to my childhood adventures. It conjures images of running barefoot through tall grass, the hum of cicadas in the background, and the comforting embrace of a simpler time. I remember swinging on the porch swing with my Aunt, the song of the bobwhite in the distance, a soothing rhythm of nature. Hearing it now feels like opening a window to the past, a sweet reminder of the carefree days of my childhood.  Even now, as I whistle for "my" Bluebirds every morning, it is the song of the Bobwhite I sing.  Hopefully it doesn't confuse the Bluebirds too much, but it's the tune my heart knows best, a comforting echo from the fields of my childhood. The Bluebirds may not quite understand, but to me, it’s a way of keeping those summer memories alive, bridging the present with a cherished past.

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Bobwhites are highly social and are usually found in groups, or coveys, of 3-20 individuals.  Typically heard more than seen, the prefer to stay in dense, low cover.  At night they roost on the ground in circles, tails pointed inward, heads pointed out.  These birds are on the list of Common Bird in Steep Decline and if their loss continues, their numbers will be halved in less than ten years!  Habitat loss is of primary concern for these birds.  Agricultural fields have become less suitable for bobwhites with higher levels of pesticides and herbicides yielding less insect and plant food, and fewer hedgerows to provide cover

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