The Northern bobwhite, (Colinus virginianus), also known as the Virginia quail or (in its home range) bobwhite quail, is a species of New World quail native to the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. They were initially placed with the Old World quails in the pheasant family (Phasianidae), but are not particularly closely related. The name "bobwhite" derives from its characteristic whistling call. Despite its secretive nature, the northern bobwhite is one of the most familiar quails in eastern North America because it is frequently the only quail in its range.