The Hungarian partridge is a medium-sized gamebird native to Europe and Asia. It was introduced to North America, including Nebraska, in the early 20th century as a game bird. So yes, there are populations of Hungarian partridge living in the wild in Nebraska today.
The Hungarian partridge (Perdix perdix) is a rotund bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is known for its rusty-brown plumage with gray underside, horseshoe-shaped breast patch, and distinctive red face wattle. Hungarian partridges typically measure 11-13 inches long and weigh around 1 pound.
The species is native to grasslands and agricultural areas in Europe and Asia. Starting in the early 1900s, Hungarian partridges were widely introduced for hunting purposes in parts of North America, including areas of Canada and many northern and western U.S. states. These introductions established wild breeding populations across much of the range.
In Nebraska, the first Hungarian partridge introduction took place in 1929. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission released additional birds at various sites during the 1930s-1950s. These efforts were successful – the Hungarian partridge is now well-established and hunted as an upland gamebird in Nebraska.
Current Status and Distribution in Nebraska
According to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Hungarian partridge are present across the northern half of Nebraska. They are most abundant in the northwest, northcentral, and northeast regions of the state.
Their preferred habitat is grasslands, such as prairie and pasture openings, and nearby agricultural areas like cropland edges, shelterbelts, and wet meadows. The highest densities occur in locations with adequate nesting cover and food supplies.
Population numbers fluctuate from year to year. In general, Hungarian partridge have done well in Nebraska with fairly stable long-term trends. Annual hunting seasons and bag limits are set based on breeding densities each summer.
The map below from the Game and Parks Commission shows the regions of Nebraska where Hungarian partridges are found and where hunting opportunities exist.
Figure 1. Map of current Hungarian partridge distribution and hunting zones in Nebraska as of 2019 (Source: Nebraska Game & Parks Commission).
Habitat Preferences
Hungarian partridges thrive in agricultural landscapes with an interspersion of grain fields, grassy cover, and wetland edges. Some key habitat components they utilize in Nebraska include:
- Nesting areas – grassland tracts, pasturelands, hayfields, ditches, shelterbelts
- Brood rearing areas – edges of grain fields, wet meadows with forbs and insects
- Loafing sites – fencerows, farmstead windbreaks, grassy ditch banks
- Winter areas – brushy draws, weed patches, buildings
Nesting cover tends to be the most important factor limiting population densities. The birds generally nest on the ground concealed in dense, tall grass cover. Each female lays around 16-20 eggs per clutch. Ideal nesting sites will have robust stands of native grasses or seeded mixes of wheats and wild rye.
Foods
Hungarian partridges are omnivorous ground feeders, taking both plant and animal matter. Their diet shifts depending on seasonal availability of food resources. Their main foods include:
- Seeds and grains – wheat, milo, oats, weeds
- Insects – beetles, grasshoppers, ants
- Wild forbs – clover, alfalfa, vetch
- Waste grain in harvested fields
Grains become especially important during fall and winter. The birds use their strong feet to scratch through snow cover to reach waste grains. Shelterbelts, farm buildings, and brushy fencerows provide cover and roosting sites during winter storms.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Hungarian partridges have a typical ground nesting bird life cycle:
- Spring – breeding pairs form in March-April. Nest building occurs from late April through May.
- Summer – peak hatching of eggs is in June. Broods forage in fields and meadows.
- Fall – young birds reach adult size by September. Fall flocking starts in October.
- Winter – packs of 25-50 birds overwinter and forage on waste grain.
The chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. Broods often congregate into large flocks of several families while growing. Hungarian partridges are monogamous breeders and generally take a new mate each breeding season. Their maximum lifespan in the wild is up to 4-5 years.
State Management
In Nebraska, Hungarian partridge are classified as a game bird and managed for recreational hunting opportunities. Some management practices that benefit the species include:
- Annual population monitoring and density counts
- Regulating hunting season dates and bag limits based on breeding numbers
- Promoting nesting habitat on private and public lands via the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
- Maintaining a mix of grain fields and grasslands on the landscape
These practices ensure healthy partridge numbers are sustained long-term for hunting and viewing enjoyment. Landowners can also benefit the birds by leaving brushy fence lines and managing small cover plots of native grasses and forbs.
Hunting Outlook
Hungarian partridge are eagerly pursued gamebirds across their range in Nebraska. According to Game and Parks data, annual harvests average around 30,000 birds. Here are some key notes about hunting this species:
- Season runs September 1 – January 31 each year
- Bag limit is 8 partridge per day
- Northwest regions tend to have the most abundant hunting opportunities
- Most successful hunting uses pointing dogs to locate and flush coveys
- Shotguns with improved cylinder or modified choke work well
Hunters pursue Hungarian partridge using strategies similar to pheasant and quail hunting. Focus areas to explore include grassy fence line corridors, recently cut alfalfa fields, and edges of winter wheat. Pay attention to any brushy gullies or wetlands as these provide essential winter cover. With persistence and a good bird dog, successful hunts for these wary gamebirds can be very rewarding.
Conclusion
In summary, the introduced Hungarian partridge has become a naturalized gamebird across a large portion of Nebraska. Populations are stable and provide ample hunting recreation each fall and winter. The species flourishes in areas with an agriculture and grassland habitat mix. Maintaining nesting cover is key for sustaining numbers long-term. With ongoing management, the unique “Huns” will continue thriving as a sporting and ecological asset in Nebraska.
