Standard

Standard northern bobwhite refers to captive Colinus virginianus kept at normal bobwhite size rather than as a jumbo meat strain. In wild-type plumage, males show the familiar white throat and eyebrow with barred flanks, while hens are buff-faced and more cryptic. Captive standard lines also include many color varieties, including Tennessee red, Mexican speckled, snowflake, silver, fawn, smoke, charcoal, and albino, although names and inheritance can vary among breeders.

These birds are raised for aviaries, hatching egg sales, dog training, educational displays, and sometimes release programs where permitted. They need the same core management as other bobwhites: a warm brooder for chicks, gamebird feed, secure pens with dry ground or wire, and hiding cover to limit stress. Standard-sized birds are usually better fliers than the heaviest jumbo strains, but captive-raised bobwhites still depend on careful conditioning if they are intended for flight pens or wildlife projects.

Colors: Albino, Barred, Blonde, Charcoal, Fawn, Mexican Speckled, Orange, Red, Silver, Smoke, Snowflake, Tennessee Red, White, Wild‑Type