Gray Partridge Perdix perdix
General description:
You may know this bird as the Hungarian Partridge or Hun, names by which it was once known. Gray partridges are small chicken-like birds with males and females similar in appearance. They seldom weigh in at a pound and sport rounded wings with a wingspan of only about 20-22 inches. They have short necks and tails and are gray-brown on the back and chest with barred sides. Their face and throat are red-brown and bill and legs are gray. There is a rusty red upside down U-shaped belly patch.
This bird is very social and if you see one, you are likely to see up to a dozen or more. They tend to flush as a group, producing a whirring/buzzing sound that is distinctive.
Behavior and Habitat
Gray Partridge are ground-dwelling birds that fly relatively short distances. They forage on the ground and build their nests on the ground.
It doesn’t take much habitat to support a flock of Gray Partridge and it isn’t uncommon to find them living along railroad tracks and ditch banks, even in town so long as agricultural crops are nearby.
Introduced from Eurasia, the Gray Partridge can be found in flat agricultural land and foothills throughout much of Idaho.
Similar Species
In our area, the Gray Partridge is most likely to be confused with the Chukar. The slightly larger chukar though, has black necklace, has whitish throat, dark barring on flanks, a red bill and legs, and lacks dark belly patch.
The Gray Partridge can often be found in areas frequented by Sharp-tailed Grouse, but the Gray Partridge is much smaller and lacks the “sharp” tail feathers. It is also more colorful.
Cool Facts
Gray Partridge hens are champions of egglaying, producing some of the largest clutches of any bird species. Clutch size can range up to 22 eggs, and averages 16 to 18.
When and where found at Camas NWR:
Gray partridge can be found almost anywhere on the Refuge, but you are most likely to encounter them along the wildlife drive route. Particularly in winter, the marsh habitat provides excellent winter cover.
Threatened/Endangered Status: Least Concern
“Gray Partridge populations declined by almost 2% per year—close to 3% in the U.S.—between 1966 and 2014, resulting in a cumulative decline across their North American range of 62%, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 13 million with 6% living in the U.S. and 8% in Canada. The species rates a 6 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, and is not on the 2014 State of the Birds Watch List. Gray Partridge is still introduced in some areas.” www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/gray_partridge/lifehistory
Text by Terry Thomas
Photo by Terry Thomas