MALE NORTHERN BOBWHITE (FLORIDA SUBSPECIES), VERONA WALK, NAPLES, FLORIDA, 6/16/2025 - NEW SPECIES TO LIFE LIST

   We can ID this quail as the Florida subspecies of a male Northern Bobwhite as follows:

• Identified as a Northern Bobwhite by both Google Lens and Merlin.
• White throat and white brow stripe (which goes down to nape) bordered by black.
• Short, dark and conical bill.
• Plumage is a mixture of rufous on upper back and flanks; intricate pattern of gray, black and white on rest of upper parts and intricate pattern of black and white on rest of underparts.

    The Northern Bobwhite is a new species to our ebird Photographic Life List, which now stands at 1,179. 

    It is interesting how I saw this lifer.  I was walking out of my garage to take in the trash barrel. Across the street from the house I saw a bird on the lawn.  I didn't have my glasses on or my camera with me, so I couldn't see it very well.  I walked across the street and got my cell phone out, just as the bird was scampering away.  I was able to take just one photo before the bird went under a large bush. I didn't see the bird anymore after this.

   Lo and behold, the bird was a lifer - a male Northern Bobwhite of the Florida subspecies.