Range: Sierra Madre, Mexico, southwestern United States (AZ, NM, TX)

Most numerous in native bunchgrasses that grow in pine-oak forests on steep mountains.

Often occur with oak trees, but use some other habitats as well, from 1,600 to 10,000 feet in elevation

Spend all of their time foraging and roosting on the ground in small flocks or 'coveys'. 

Diet: mainly tubers, acorns, and insects; feed on the ground, where they move slowly through grasses and denser parts of woodland and dig into the ground in search of food

IUCN: Least concern; vulnerable to habitat alteration from overgrazing, changes in weather patterns, and spread of non-native plant species

Preyed upon by avian predators such as Cooper's hawks, goshawks, and northern harriers. Eggs subject to predation by skunks and various snakes.

Also considered a gamebird and hunted in AZ, NM, & Mexico.