The Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), often simply called bobwhite, is a small ground-dwelling bird native to North America, primarily inhabiting grasslands, shrublands, and agricultural areas. Here’s a description of the bird and its distribution:

Description of the Northern Bobwhite:

• Appearance: Northern bobwhites are small, round-bodied birds with mottled brown plumage, streaked with black and white markings. They have a distinctive white throat and eyebrow stripe, as well as a short, rounded tail. Males have a bold black-and-white pattern on their face, while females have a more subdued appearance.
• Habitat: Northern bobwhites are found in a variety of open habitats, including grasslands, brushy fields, agricultural lands, and open woodlands. They prefer areas with dense vegetation for cover and nesting sites, as well as access to open areas for foraging.
• Behavior: Bobwhites are known for their distinctive whistled call, which sounds like “bob-WHITE” and is often heard during the breeding season. They are primarily ground-dwelling birds, foraging for seeds, grains, insects, and other small invertebrates on the ground. They are social birds, often forming coveys (groups) outside of the breeding season.
• Conservation Status: Northern bobwhites have experienced significant population declines across much of their range due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and changes in land management practices. Conservation efforts are underway to restore and manage habitat for bobwhites, including prescribed fire, habitat restoration, and land conservation initiatives.

Distribution: Northern bobwhites are found across much of the eastern and central United States, as well as parts of Mexico and Cuba. Their range extends from southern New England and the Great Lakes region in the north, southward to Florida and westward to Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. They are also found in parts of the southeastern United States, including the coastal plains of the Carolinas and Georgia.

While Northern bobwhites are not specifically associated with particular counties, they are found in rural and agricultural areas throughout their range. They are often associated with areas of mixed grassland and agricultural land, including counties with a history of traditional farming practices and land management for wildlife conservation.