This is bird note.

Cuba is home to a unique population of northern Bob Whites,

with plumage patterns and short bills that set them apart from Bob White's on

mainland North America. But where these quail came from has been a mystery.

Did humans introduce them from the mainland?

If so, when? And why do they look so different?

The first written record of Bob White's in Cuba is from 1839. One historical account claims that a Spaniard

introduced Bob White's near Havana in the late 1700s. But that doesn't explain

how they took on distinct traits so quickly.

Confusingly, the same account also says Bob White's

were already living elsewhere in Cuba.

But recent scientific detective work

may have uncovered the answer.

By analyzing DNA from museum specimens, researchers show that cube and Bob White's are hybrids,

descended from two different mainland populations that arrived at two different times.

It seems that Bob White's from Mexico came to Cuba sometime between the 12th and 16th centuries, possibly introduced by the island's original indigenous peoples.

Then Spanish colonists brought birds from what's now the Southeast U.S. less than 300 years ago. These new arrivals interbred

with the already established birds, creating today's distinctive population.

For Bird Note, I'm Ariana Rimmel.