Perdix perdix
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2 500 - 3 500 rub.

Grey partridge, orEnglish partridge(Perdix perdix)

Phylum —chordata
Class — aves
Order — galliformes
Family —phasianidae

Genus – perdix

Appearance

The grey partridge is a rotund bird, brown-backed, with grey flanks and chest. The belly is white, usually marked with a large chestnut-brown horse-shoe mark in males, and also in many females. The only major and constant difference between the sexes is the so-called cross of Lorraine on the tertiary coverts of females—these being marked with two transverse bars, as opposed to the one in males. These are present after around 16 weeks of age when the birds have moulted into adult plumage. Young grey partridges are mostly yellow-brown and lack the distinctive face and underpart markings.

Length: 11.8-13.0 in (30-33 cm); weight: 13.6-17.6 oz (385-500 g); wingspan: 20.9-22.1 in (53-56 cm).

Habitat

This partridge breeds on farmland across most of Europe and across the western Palearctic as far as southwestern Siberia and has been introduced widely into Canada, United States, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Behavior

It is strictly a ground bird. Groups of 6-15 (known as coveys) are most usually seen outside the breeding season.

Diet

The grey partridge feeds mainly on seeds and grain, relying heavily on waste grain (corn, sunflowers, wheat) during the winter. The grey partridge also feeds on insects during the summer months and green leaves, shoots and buds. The young in particular take insects as an essential protein supply. During the first 10 days of life, the young can only digest insects.

Reproduction

Hens lay up to twenty eggs in a ground nest. The nest is usually in the margin of a cereal field, most commonly winter wheat.

In captivity

The lifespan is from 5 to 10 years.

On farms partridges usually have similar care needs across the different species. Their care is similar to that of quail and pheasant. Their enclosures most have secure fencing and plenty of space to forage on the ground.

They do particularly well in large, aviary-style enclosures, where they can search through the bushes and shrubs for food. If a predator can get to a partridge, they will try to eat it, so ensure your housing is extremely secure and predator-proof.