Red-legged Partridge

Alectoris rufa

This plump, ground-dwelling game bird thrives in farmlands and scrubby hillsides across Europe and beyond.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red-legged Partridge is a plump, round-bodied game bird with distinctive markings. Its upperparts are predominantly greyish-brown, contrasting with a grey breast and buff belly. The face and throat are white, bordered by a black necklace that splits into multiple bars on the flanks.

Both sexes look similar, with bright red legs and bills, although females lack the leg spurs and tend to be slightly larger. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller plumage and lack the defined black necklace. The bird's appearance remains consistent throughout the year, with no seasonal variations.

Size

Length

32cm to 34cm

Wingspan

47cm to 50cm

Weight

400g to 550g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

Red Black White

Beak Colour

Red

Leg Colour

Red

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Red-legged Partridge is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Red-legged Partridge is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Red-legged Partridge is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Red-legged Partridge is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Red-legged Partridge is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Red-legged Partridge can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Red-legged Partridge can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Red-legged Partridge is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Red-legged Partridge is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Red-legged Partridge is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Red-legged Partridge is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Red-legged Partridge is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Red-legged Partridges are native to southwestern Europe, including Spain, Portugal, and parts of France and Italy. They prefer open, dry habitats such as farmland, grasslands, and scrubby areas with some cover for nesting and shelter.

In the UK, where they were introduced in the 18th century, they are now well-established, particularly in eastern and southern England. They are non-migratory, maintaining their territories year-round in suitable habitats.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-legged 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