The masked bobwhite is characterized by a rufous-red breast and black head and throat. Most individuals contain some white on the head, particularly through the eye and occasionally on the throat. The male’s back appears brown overall, however as it is mottled, other color combinations of black, pale yellow, rufous and gray occur. The female’s coloration is drabber than the males and resembles other female bobwhites, although more rufus coloration exists on the upper back and flanks.

In Sonora, masked bobwhite quail habitat is relatively open, subtropic, summer active-savanna grassland within dry-tropic scrub. In the southern United States portion of the masked bobwhite quail range, vegetation composition of the scrub habitat shifts from subtropic to dry-tropic and desert grassland species. Here, mesquite (Prosopis velutina) is often the single component of overstory cover. In this landscape, masked bobwhite quail inhabit areas where a mosaic of bare ground and vegetation consisting of short and tall plants allows them to navigate the landscape and access cover, nesting site, brood rearing habitat, and food, as documented in the 2021 habitat implementation plan. Two habitat components that address these needs are useable space and arrangement. F.S. Guthery described this in 1997 useable space as the amount of space that contains permanent cover, which allows quail to access and utilize the entire landscape. The arrangement of habitat refers to a combination of suitable habitat types that occur on the landscape. Some studies have attempted to quantify the habitat characteristics that are favored by masked bobwhite quail. For example, masked bobwhites in the southern Altar Valley exhibit a preference for vegetation composition of 10 to 15% woody plants, 12 to 50% grass and 10 –to15% forbs, as documented by D. Brown and K. Clark in 2017. However, not all cover is equally suitable, as the structure structure
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Learn more about structure of the available cover determines its usefulness for masked bobwhites. For example, cover that is dense on the top and open underneath, like certain types of woody shrubs, allows for easy access while escaping threats. Within appropriate habitat types, home range sizes for masked bobwhite quail average 27 acres, as documented by K. Simms in 1989. Once established, individual quail seldom leave these locations.

Masked bobwhite quail consume a diet similar to other northern bobwhite races and includes seeds, invertebrates and green plant material. J.A. Larson and others documented in 2010 that this diet varies in quantity across seasons. Seeds, particularly hard-coated seeds from grasses and forbs, make up 60% of their diet in the spring and up to 80% in the fall, as noted by A.S. James and others in 2015. During spring and summer, invertebrate consumption by bobwhites increases to approximately 25% of their diet, as insects provide a higher source of crude protein, 45%, for reproductive adults and growing juveniles. A.S. James and others also noted that chicks will exclusively consume invertebrates for their first few weeks. Lastly, they noted that plant material, such as legumes, make up the smallest part of a quail’s diet and generally provides the least amount of crude protein. Quail must drink water daily or obtain it from their food.

Masked bobwhite quail share similar behaviors as other bobwhite quail races. Most notably, these species share a characteristic bob-white call that is often vocalized by males perched on rocks or bushes. As with most quail, masked bobwhites spend much of their time on the ground, typically flying short distances only to avoid disturbance and predation. Masked bobwhite quail forage on the ground and use vegetative cover to avoid predation. During the winter, masked bobwhite quail will live in coveys of up to 20 birds. During warmer seasons, masked bobwhite tend to be more active in the early mornings and late afternoons to avoid extreme temperatures.

In 1884, two masked bobwhite quail, a male and female specimen, were obtained by H. Brown who originally identified them as eastern bobwhite. G.B Grinnell subsequently identified them as a race of northern bobwhite formerly (Ortyx graysoni) that inhabited Mexico, as noted by R.E. Tomlinson in 1972. In 1884, on a collecting expedition to Sonora Mexico, a male type specimen was collected and given the name Colinus ridgwayi, which was made official in 1886, as documented by J.W. Allen in 1886. In 1944, the name was changed to Colinus virginianus ridgway to better distinguish this subspecies from other subspecies of bobwhite quail, as documented by R.E. Tomlinson in 1972. Masked bobwhite quail are one of the 23 recognized subspecies of bobwhite quail.

Masked bobwhite quail live in social groups called coveys for a significant part of the year - fall, winter and early spring. Coveys consist of individuals from both sexes and multiple age classes, and pairs bonds form in this convey unit. As breeding season approaches, masked bobwhites begin to pair off, usually in late June. Breeding season starts with males calling usually in late June into early July. Masked bobwhite quail are ground nesters and success of nests is highly related to the amount of cover and concealment provided by vegetation. Hatching occurs in late July through late September, and brood size on average is 11 chicks. The timing of breeding, nesting and hatching in this species is highly linked to summer rains, also known as the monsoon season, which influences the availability of invertebrates and plant for food, as well as cover. Masked bobwhite quail experience high, but similar mortality rates as other bobwhite races, which W. Rosene documented in 1969 to be approximately 70%.