Quail Population Trends

See the results of 5 years of quail call-counts conducted on selected Wildlife Management Areas each June and learn how you can share your quail observations with the Bobscapes mobile app.

Estimating Mississippi's Quail Population

Collecting the Data

Average quail count represents average number of calling quail counted on survey points distributed across each area (the same survey points are counted each year). Most areas have about 15-20 points from which observers count numbers of whistling males. These counts are conducted on WMAs with upland habitat management potential. However, actual quail habitat quality varies substantially.

Interpreting the Data

Data should be interpreted somewhat cautiously. Calling activity can vary within and among years, and some routes may be surveyed only one time during some years. Evaluating several years of breeding season call-count data provides relative population trends on a given area. Theodore A. Mars, Jr. WMA only has six survey points; all other WMAs have 12 or more survey points. Fewer survey points can make averages fluctuate more noticeably.

Graphs displaying quail population trends in Mississippi from 2019-2023

Bobscapes Mobile App

Anyone can submit observations of bobwhite quail if they see or hear them calling with the Bobscapes mobile app. The app is a citizen science tool for the public to contribute to our knowledge of the distribution and abundance of bobwhite quail throughout its range.

Specific observations and locations are not posted publicly but can be shared with state wildlife agencies and researchers. Consider recording your observations of quail to help inform where quail occur throughout the state. To learn more and download the app for Android or iOS, visit the Bobscapes webpage.