A Guide to Plants Important for Quail in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has two native species of quail – the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus,
hereafter bobwhite) and the scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), which is also commonly
called blue quail. The bobwhite occurs statewide, while the scaled quail is restricted
to far western Oklahoma and the panhandle. Both species of quail are popular gamebirds
within Oklahoma and many landowners are interested in quail habitat management. Habitat
is the food, water, cover and space that a species requires. Plants make up a large
component of what is considered habitat for a species. Plants provide food (both directly
and indirectly), cover and water. Therefore, to manage quail, an understanding of
plants that are used by quail is necessary. This plant guide is designed to highlight
some of the more important plants for quail in Oklahoma. It includes both food producing
and cover-providing plants. This guide contains species accounts for 70 plants. They
are divided into grasses, forbs and shrubs/trees. For each species account, the following
is provided: common name, scientific name, the plant family, origin (whether the plant
is native or introduced), the distribution of the plant within Oklahoma, a description
of the soils and general conditions of where the plant might occur, how quail use
the plant and other considerations, such as how to manage the plant. This guide also
contains two appendices: a listing of insects that are important to
quail and references used to create this guide.