In south Texas, cover is of the most important factor due to the extreme heat. Since a quails body temperature ranges from 106.7F to108.5F the most comfortable ambient air temp for them is between 86F to 95F. When heat exceeds 95F quail must begin to actively get rid of heat and maintain body temp at a normal level. They do this by seeking shade, scooped out cups in the soil or other cool spots in the environment. They also dissipate heat by panting (Gular flutter).

A temperature of 104F is lethal to bobwhites if exposure lasts for 24 hours or more; of course, wild birds would not be exposed to these temperatures for more than a few hours. Death occurs when the core body temperatures reaches 114.8F-115.7F. Note the body temp causing death is only 7-8F above normal body temp. The temperature to which quail respond is called operative temperature. Wildlife biologists have measured operative temperatures near Laredo Texas that were high enough to kill bobwhites within a few minutes. Operative temperatures near soil surface maximized at 140F on a hot June day. Bobwhite quail inhabit a variety of different habitats. For instance, during the summer and fall, croplands are important for providing feeding and loafing areas (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 1998). Meanwhile, grasslands provide spring and summer nesting cover. Quail occasionally use water holes or other sources of free water. But, water needs are usually met by drinking dew and eating berries and insects. Quail feed seasonally on fruits, leafy vegetation, and insects. But seeds make up the bulk of their diet throughout most of the year (Stribling 1997).

Quail prefers Grass seeds during the fall, but the seeds spoil rather quickly. Acorns, when available, are preferred over all the other foods from fall through early spring (Stribling 1997). Early spring diets shift from seeds to insects and leafy green vegetation. Insects remain an important food item to adults and young throughout summer and into early fall. Adults eat soft mast items such as fruits and berries during summer (Stribling 1997).

Quail food must be exposed on relatively bare soil and in open-structured vegetation. Quail scratch poorly and are impeded by extremely dense vegetation. Seeds buried beneath deep piles of leaf litter, regardless of their abundance, are however unavailable to quail (Stribling 1997). It is recommended that one burn off this excess litter every two years.

Brushy fence lines and woodland edges are vital year-round for roosting and escape cover and for fall and winter feeding (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 1998). Prime bobwhite habitat often occurs where there is abundant hedgerows and other dense over story that will provide protection for the bobwhites from raptors. These cover areas can be herbaceous or brushy and quite often researchers have found that quail will often use thickets of hazel, raspberry, and grapevines. Shrubs like dogwood, willow and elderberry are also preferred cover plants (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 1998).

Its distance from protective cover also influences food availability. Quail seldom move far from cover to feed (Stribling 1997). Thickets that are relatively small and dense provide refuge from predators as well as brushy drains and fence rows can serve as resting areas and travel lanes between fields (Stribling 1997).

While feeding, the covey forages together, moving only as far from their roosts as necessary. The bobwhites home range usually does not exceed 1/4 to 1/2 mile, except during seasonal movements which average about one mile (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 1998). Bobwhite quail normally feed early in the morning and evening or until dark when temperatures are cooler. However, when adult quail have broods, they will often feed all day.