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The partridge is a small game bird belonging to the pheasant family. Native to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, two species have been successfully introduced in North America. The name partridge is also sometimes associated with grouse, the bobwhite, and quail.
HISTORY
The partridge was first introduced to North America in 1889, when the gray partridge was brought into Virginia. In the early 1900s, the same bird was introduced in the Alberta, Canada area.
DESCRIPTION
Partridges have unusually plump bodies, short, deep chests, feathered tails, round wings and short, thick bills. The two species introduced to North America are:
CHUKAR PARTRIDGE, which is the more colorful and well known of the two birds. Chukars are brown and gray in color, and have stark white stripes on sides of the body, bordered with deep black outlines. The throat area is white, also bordered with a deep black hue. The most prominent feature of the chukar are its bright red coloring, which is found on the bill and feet.
GRAY PARTRIDGE is less colorful, and tends to be found in the midwestern United States, with high concentrations in the farmland regions of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. Gray partridges have a dull gray or brown nape, and brown coloring on the back and wing areas. The gray partridge is often referred to as the Hungarian partridge by many hunters.
Both types of North American partridges are 10-14 inches long and weigh less than 1-pound. Both sexes of the partridge tend to look alike.
The partridge is a fast bird. Using his deep chest to propel himself, the partridge can scurry across the ground at quick speeds to avoid predators.
REPRODUCTION
Then hen or female partridge lays 15 eggs at one time. Eggs are generally placed in a grass nest, which is often located in a bush, grainfield or small field.
FEEDING
Partridges exist on a diet of insects and various greens. This bird most often forages for food in areas close to home. Partridges can often be found on the ground.
TODAY
Today, both species of the partridge live in abundance in North America. Hunting season is open on both varieties of the partridge, and the bird is considered a treasured catch.
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