Nutritional factors have been hypothesized to regulate gallinaceous bi
rd populations such as the Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). Al
though protein is considered one of the most important and limiting nu
trient categories in wild animal populations, we lack a complete under
standing of the availability of essential amino acids in foodstuff pro
tein. Seed grains comprise a major component of the annual diet of bob
whites throughout its geographic range. We investigated the concentrat
ion of 17 amino acids in seed of 4 highly preferred forages of bobwhit
es from central Oklahoma. The total nitrogen content of seed was compo
sed of 28-43% nonamino nitrogen of limited nutritional value. We provi
de evidence that crude protein may grossly over estimate true protein.
Amino acid content of forages in lieu of crude protein may better des
cribe the nutritional ecology of quail and other gallinaceous birds an
d provide new insights into the role of nutrition in regulating animal
populations.