Difference Between Bobwhite & Button Quail

The northern bobwhite is a type of quail native to parts of North America. The button quail is a small bird that resembles the bobwhite quail in shape, but there are distinct differences between these birds.

  1. Classification

    • The button quail is not a true quail, despite its name, and is actually a closer relative to pigeons. The northern bobwhite is a quail cousin of birds such as the Gambel’s quail and the California quail.

    Size

    • Bobwhites are much larger than button quails. The small button quail grows only to about 5 inches long, while a bobwhite may be as long as 16 inches, according to Whatbird.com.

    Geography

    • The northern bobwhite lives in eastern parts of the United States. The button quail is native to parts of China, India, Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia.

    Calls

    • The bobwhite's call, a distinctive “bob-bob-white,” gives the birds its name. The button quail's call is a weak “pee-pee-pew.”

    Uses

    • The button quail is a popular pet bird because of its small size and appearance. The northern bobwhite is a popular game bird, valued for its elusiveness and taste.