Effects of Releasing Pen-Raised Northern Bobwhites on Survival Rates of Wild Populations of Northern Bobwhites

We examined survival, behavior, and social interactions of wild bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) on release areas, pen-raised bobwhites liberated on release areas, and bobwhites on control areas without pen-raised bobwhites. We monitored 419 radio-tagged bobwhites representing wild release-area, control-area, and pen-raised birds from fall to early summer, 1990-1992 in Alabama. Survival of wild bobwhites on control sites (Ŝ = 0.929/6 weeks) was higher (P = 0.004) than wild bobwhites on release sites (Ŝ = 0.665/6 weeks) before pen-raised birds were released. Survival of all groups were compared for 22 weeks post-release; control (Ŝ = 0.414) and release-area bobwhites (Ŝ = 0.358, P = 0.443) did not differ. However, pen-raised bobwhites exhibited lower survival rates (Ŝ = 0.178) than control-area (P = 0.001) and release-area birds (P = 0.014). The majority of bobwhite deaths in all groups were attributed to avian predators. All groups of bobwhites exhibited reproductive behavior, and we observed successful cross pairing of pen-raised and wild bobwhites. We confirmed that due to low survival rates, pen-raised birds are unsuitable for restocking efforts; however, their use to supplement harvest may be justified where wild bobwhite numbers are low or hunter use is high.