Bird field guide · New World Quails

Photographing the Northern Bobwhite

How to photograph the Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (May, June and July).

20–28 cm1/2000 sG4G5
20–28 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/500 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/8
Aperture
10,187
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionShoot from ground level; game birds flush suddenly, so keep the shutter fast and AF in continuous mode.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens400–600 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 24 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)236 mm349 mm157 mm118 mm
10 m (33 ft)472 mm698 mm314 mm236 mm
15 m (49 ft)707 mm1,047 mm472 mm354 mm
20 m (66 ft)943 mm1,395 mm629 mm472 mm
30 m (98 ft)1,415 mm2,093 mm943 mm707 mm
50 m (164 ft)2,358 mm3,488 mm1,572 mm1,179 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 3% Jan Feb: 3% Feb Mar: 4% Mar Apr: 11% Apr May: 18% May Jun: 18% Jun Jul: 16% Jul Aug: 10% Aug Sep: 6% Sep Oct: 4% Oct Nov: 4% Nov Dec: 3% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: May, June and July.

About the Northern Bobwhite#

The northern bobwhite, Virginia quail or (in its home range) bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) is a ground-dwelling bird native to the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It is a member of the group of species known as New World quails (Odontophoridae). They were initially placed with the Old World quails in the pheasant family (Phasianidae), but are not particularly closely related.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Coveys feed at dawn; males call from posts.
  • Shoot from ground level; game birds flush suddenly, so keep the shutter fast and AF in continuous mode.
  • Sightings peak in May, June and July, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More New World Quails#

California Quail California QuailCallipepla californica Gambel's Quail Gambel's QuailCallipepla gambelii

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Northern Bobwhite?

At about 24 cm long, a northern bobwhite fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 472 mm, or at 20 m with 943 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Northern Bobwhite?

1/500 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Northern Bobwhite?

Observations in North America peak in May, June and July. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources