Project Summary

Populations of northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) have undergone a dramatic decline in the southeastern U.S.A. since the mid-1900s. This decline is primarily caused by the loss of early successional habitat due to changes in agricultural practices. The intensification of forestry and farming practices decreases the amount of quality, natural, early successional habitat for this species. Management techniques such as restoration of early successional habitat and rearing/releasing quail are being implemented to help restore quail populations. Rearing and releasing quail into suitable habitat will help increase the numbers of bobwhites for hunting opportunities. Releasing pen-reared quail into habitats with wild populations potentially increases the risk of introducing disease and parasites to their wild counterparts and potentially to other game birds that share the same habitat, such as wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo).

This research project, which is currently a work in progress, is studying the effects of management techniques on the parasite burdens in bobwhites. Samples were collected from 12 sites throughout the Southeast. Samples were collected from sites with mostly pen-released quail, wild quail, and sites that have a fairly even mix of wild and pen-released quail. Around 20 hunter-killed bobwhites were collected from each site. The quail were dissected and the intestinal parasites were removed, identified, and counted. The following species were found, Heterakis isolonche, Trichostrongylus tenuis, Crynea colini, Capillaria contorta, Dispharynx nasuta, Gongylonema ingluvicola, Subulura brumpti, Raillietina sp, and Rhabdometra sp. Parasite intensity and prevalence was determined for the sample population. Further analysis will determine if rearing/releasing and quail density has an effect on parasite occurrence, intensity, and prevalence. We anticipate finding an increase in parasite intensity and prevalence with rearing/releasing and as the quail density on a site increases.

Information

• MS candidate