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Photo by piotr biegaj
Location: Northern Poland

Perdix perdix

[edit] Identification

• Relatively small headed and chubby
• Orange face and throat
• Green bill
• Grey legs

[edit] Male

• White underbelly
• Chestnut horseshoe on lower breast

[edit] Female

Similar to male, but duller

[edit] Similar Species

Red-legged Partridge

[edit] Distribution

Breeds throughout Europe from the UK to Kazakhstan, and Scandinavia, with a patchy distribution in southern Europe. Also found in parts of southern Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) and northern USA, where it was introduced from Europe, as a game bird and has thrived on the prairies and agricultural land.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Can be found on a wide variety of habitats, from farmland to moorland and sand dunes. Adults are more likely to be seen in open grass or vegetation the young, however prefer cereal crops.

[edit] Status

Once common, the population has crashed, possibly due to farming practices.

[edit] Behaviour

They are inclined to fly close to the ground. Wing flaps produce a whirring noise.

Can be found in 'coveys' outside of the breeding season.

[edit] Diet

Adults: grass, seeds and shoots; also insects when breeding. Chicks only eat invertebrates such as sawflies, beetles and aphids.

[edit] Breeding

Mid-April to early September. Up to 16 eggs laid in a well-hidden scrape nest lined with grass and leaves. If they lose their first clutch, they may lay again.

[edit] Vocalisation

Includes a high, hoarse keev, and a pitt-pitt-pitt when alarmed.

[edit] References

ArKive

[edit] External Links