Grey Partridge Bird Facts (Perdix perdix)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Grey Partridge is a plump, medium-sized game bird with a distinctive rounded body shape. Its plumage is primarily greyish-brown, featuring intricate barring and vermiculation patterns that provide excellent camouflage in grassland habitats.

Both sexes have similar colouration, with a grey breast, an orange-brown face, and a dark brown horseshoe-shaped patch on the lower belly. Females tend to be slightly smaller.

Juveniles look similar to adult females, although they lack the chestnut marking across the breast and rust-coloured face plumage. They also have yellowish (not grey) legs.

Size

Length

28cm to 32cm

Wingspan

45cm to 48cm

Weight

290g to 475g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

Buff Rufous

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Grey Partridge is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Grey Partridge is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Grey Partridge is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Grey Partridge is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Grey Partridge is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Grey Partridge can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Grey Partridge can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Grey Partridge is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Grey Partridge is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Grey Partridge is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Grey Partridge is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Grey Partridge is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Grey Partridges are native to Europe and parts of Asia. They prefer open landscapes such as farmland, grasslands, and steppe habitats. They thrive in areas with a mix of cultivated fields, hedgerows, and uncultivated margins.

In the UK, they are found across lowland areas, while in North America, they have been successfully introduced and are now established in parts of Canada and the northern United States.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,600 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Continental

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Grey Partridge. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Canada China Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iran Ireland Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Moldova Montenegro Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland The United Kingdom Turkey Ukraine United States of America Uzbekistan

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Cyprus

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Grey Partridge demonstrates considerable agility, particularly in its ability to run swiftly through vegetation and take off rapidly when threatened. Their capacity to fly at speeds up to 60 km/h when escaping danger indicates a high level of agility in flight as well.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong for their size, Grey Partridges possess robust legs that enable them to run quickly and navigate through dense vegetation. Their ability to take off rapidly and maintain flight speeds of up to 60 km/h suggests moderate strength for their body size.

Adaptability 70

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Grey Partridges show good adaptability to various habitats, including farmland, grasslands, and steppe environments. Their ability to thrive in both native European ranges and introduced North American habitats demonstrates adaptability. Additionally, their behaviour of burrowing into snow for insulation in severe winter weather indicates adaptive strategies for survival.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Grey Partridges are not particularly aggressive birds. They are social, often seen in coveys, and become territorial only during breeding season. Their primary defence strategy is to run or fly away rather than confront threats, suggesting a relatively low level of aggression.

Endurance 65

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Grey Partridge shows good endurance in its ability to sustain rapid flight when escaping danger and in its capacity for long-distance movement through vegetation. Their adaptability to various climates and ability to survive in challenging conditions, such as severe winters, also indicates a fair degree of endurance.

Diet

Grey Partridges have a varied diet that changes seasonally. They primarily feed on seeds, leaves, and insects. Chicks rely heavily on insects for protein during their first few weeks of life. In agricultural areas, they often forage for grain in stubble fields after harvest.

Behaviour

Grey Partridges are highly social birds, often seen in small groups called coveys. When disturbed, they prefer to run rather than fly, using their strong legs to move quickly through vegetation.

During the breeding season, pairs become territorial and separate from the covey to establish nesting sites.

Vocalisation

The Grey Partridge has a distinctive call, often described as a harsh, rusty-gate sound 'kieerr-ik'. This call is frequently heard at dawn and dusk, especially during the breeding season. When alarmed, they may emit a series of sharp, staccato 'chuk-chuk-chuk' notes.

Nesting & Breeding

Grey Partridges form monogamous pairs in late winter or early spring. Males perform courtship displays, including head-bobbing and wing-flapping, to attract females.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often located in tall grass or at the base of hedgerows. Females typically lay 10-20 olive-buff coloured eggs.

Incubation lasts about 23-25 days, carried out solely by the female. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching. Both parents care for the young, which can fly at about two weeks and reach independence at 13-15 weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

Despite being listed as Least Concern globally, Grey Partridge populations have declined significantly in many parts of their range, particularly in Western Europe. Agricultural intensification, pesticide use, and loss of suitable habitat are major threats. Conservation efforts focus on creating suitable habitats and promoting wildlife-friendly farming practices.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

3,300,000 - 5,300,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Grey Partridges in open farmland and grassland areas, especially near field edges.
Listen for their distinctive 'kieerr-ik' call, often given at dawn and dusk.
Scan the ground carefully, as their camouflage makes them difficult to spot when stationary.
In the UK, try visiting areas with set-aside fields or conservation headlands.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Hungarian Partridge, English Partridge

Family:

Phasianidae

Average Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Predators

Grey Partridges face predation from various animals, including foxes, stoats, weasels, raptors such as hawks and owls, and corvids like crows and magpies.

Did You Know?

Grey Partridges can fly at speeds up to 60 km/h when escaping danger.
They have excellent hearing and can detect predators from a considerable distance.
In severe winter weather, Grey Partridges may burrow into snow for insulation.