The grey partridge (Perdix perdix) is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. It is a relative of the red-legged partridge and, like other gamebirds, has been introduced widely beyond its native range for hunting purposes. This partridge breeds on cultivated land and steppe-like natural and semi-natural open habitats. It nests in a dry ground scrape laying 10-18 eggs. The chicks can run soon after hatching and fledge in 2-3 weeks. The birds feed in flocks outside the breeding season. The call is a nasal kee-yeek. They fly close to the ground in small compact flocks. They are vulnerable to harsh winters.
Origin of Grey Partridges
The grey partridge is native to Europe and parts of western Asia. Its range extends from Scandinavia and the British Isles east through Russia and Ukraine to Siberia, Mongolia, and China. It has also been widely introduced outside its native range, including to Canada, the United States, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The grey partridge was first successfully introduced in New Zealand in the 1860s and has established itself on both the North and South Islands. This is a sedentary species, as opposed to migratory species like the very similar chukar partridge.
The grey partridge most likely originated as a species in the steppes of Asia and Europe, where it was well adapted to the open grasslands. Partridges are ground nesting birds that feed on seeds and insects, so they thrive in agricultural areas that provide a mix of open habitat as well as cultivated fields of grain crops. The spread of agriculture and the conversion of natural grasslands to farmland enabled the grey partridge to expand its range from its likely origins in central Asia.
Spread Across Europe
Once agricultural cultivation spread across Europe from the Middle East, starting around 6000 BC, the grey partridge found ideal habitat across much of Europe, including farmlands in France, Britain and across central Europe. The conversion of forests and native vegetation to crops likely enabled the partridge to colonize areas of Europe where it was previously absent. The grey partridge population likely rose as agriculture expanded across Europe.
Introduction to North America
The grey partridge was successfully introduced as a gamebird to areas of Canada starting in the 1800s. It was also brought to the United States around that time, with most introductions occurring between 1905 and 1915. The open farmlands of the Midwest provided excellent habitat, and partridge populations expanded rapidly. At one point the grey partridge was one of the most common farmland birds in parts of the Canadian and U.S. Great Plains.
Declines and Conservation
Since the 1950s, however, grey partridge numbers have declined significantly in both its native and introduced ranges. Modern agricultural practices and the loss of hedgerows and non-crop habitat have caused populations to diminish. They are now considered endangered in many areas. Conservation efforts are underway to help restore populations by providing habitat. The origin and spread of the grey partridge is intertwined with the history of agriculture itself.
Physical Description
The grey partridge is a rotund bird with a small head, short tail and wings and a portly body. It measures 28–32 cm long with a wingspan of 41–45 cm. Body mass can range from 300 to 390 g, with males larger than females. The plumage is overall grey-brown above and pale orange-brown below. The face is orangish with a black gorget. The flanks are chestnut with pale thin barring. The remiges and rectrices are chestnut. The bill is brownish, the iris is brown and the legs are greyish-orange. Juveniles are duller in color than adults.
Distinctive Markings
The most distinctive marking of the grey partridge is the dark kidney-shaped blotch on the belly. When the wings are folded, this marking is visible and acts as important for signaling and species identification at a distance. The strongly barred flanks are also a key identification marker. The lack of any orange or buff tones separates the grey partridge from other common partridges in its range, like the red-legged partridge.
Seasonal Variation
The plumage does not vary much seasonally, although the bare skin around the eye does become brighter red during the breeding season. Males can also develop a slight rosy wash on the breast at this time. The grey partridge undergoes a complete molt after breeding, shedding all its flight feathers at once. This leaves it vulnerable, as the birds are flightless until the new feathers grow in.
Behavior
The grey partridge is gregarious and forms large coveys outside of the breeding season. These flocks can contain several dozen to over a hundred birds. The coveys walk on the ground during the day to forage on seeds, leaves, buds and insects. At night they form tight roosting circles in dense ground cover. Their flight is whirring, with rapid wingbeats interspersed with short glides.
Diet
The diet is largely vegetarian, consisting of seeds, leaves, buds, grain and weeds. But grey partridges also consume many insects, especially grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles and ants. Chicks are fed mostly insects to provide protein for growth. Partridges obtain all the water they need from their food.
Voice
These are vocal birds, especially at dusk when coveys come together. The male’s territorial call is a harsh, nasal kee-yeek, kee-yeek. Other calls include a sharp alarm call and a soft, whistling contact call. Males produce a rattling call during courtship displays.
Nesting
Nesting occurs from early April to late June. The nest is a scrape in the ground, lined with vegetation and concealed by surrounding grass and herbaceous plants. Clutches contain 10-18 eggs that are creamy buff colored and oval shaped with small brown spots. Incubation lasts 23-25 days and is done solely by the female. The precocial young fledge in 14-18 days. Broods often merge together.
Habitat
The grey partridge thrives in agricultural landscapes consisting of a mix of crop fields, pasture, hay meadows, hedgerows, grassy field margins and patches of woodland. It prefers areas of small fields, fences and other habitat edges. Access to brushy cover is key throughout the year for nesting, roosting and escape. Partridges avoid areas that are intensively cultivated with vast expanses of monoculture crops.
Native Range
In its native Eurasian range, the grey partridge inhabits temperate grasslands, steppes, pastureland, agricultural fields, and semi-open habitats with native grasses and shrubs. It is often found near cereal crops but also utilizes uncultivated areas.
Introduced Range
In North America, Australia and New Zealand, the grey partridge was initially released into areas of marginal farmland with fencerows, weedy fields and ground cover for nesting. But it thrived most in intensively cultivated croplands with an abundance of winter wheat and grain fields that provided food.
Population Trends
Grey partridge numbers increased sharply in the late 19th and early 20th century across its range. For example, in England the population rose from around 1 million pairs in 1850 to around 6 million pairs by 1930. But intensive agriculture caused populations to crash by more than 85% between 1930 and 1970.
| Location | Population Trend |
|---|---|
| Europe | Declining, endangered in parts of range |
| Asia | Declining in much of range |
| United Kingdom | Severe decline, only 150,000 pairs by 1990s |
| North America | Declined over 90% by 1990s vs peak in 1930s |
Grey partridge populations have seen significant declines since the mid-1900s across most of its range, both native and introduced. Modern agriculture with loss of habitat, nesting cover, and food resources has caused sharp declines. They are now locally endangered and the focus of conservation efforts to restore habitat.
Causes of Decline
The key factors driving grey partridge population declines include:
- Loss of nesting cover and habitat from agricultural intensification
- Increased pesticide use reducing insect food sources
- Large fields of monoculture crops without winter weed seeds
- Loss of marginal habitat like hedgerows and grassy field margins
Conservation
Conservation strategies focus on restoring habitat diversity, including:
- Planting cover crops
- Managing field margins
- Establishing beetle banks
- Promoting mixed farming over monocultures
- Tree planting to link fragmented populations
Significance to Humans
The grey partridge is an important gamebird across much of its range. It has been managed, raised and hunted as a sporting bird for centuries. Partridge shooting on country estates is a popular pastime. The grey partridge is also commonly raised and released for hunting. However, its declines have greatly reduced harvest levels.
Gamebird
Valued for its flavorful meat and challenging flight, the grey partridge has long been an important gamebird. Partridge hunting takes place from September through January across Europe. The birds are hunted with pointing dogs or flushed into nets. Shooting partridges has been a field sport since medieval times.
Declining Harvests
At one point, grey partridge hunting harvested up to 8 million birds annually in the UK. But declines have caused the bag limit to be cut to 2 per person per day for conservation. Partridge harvests are also down more than 90% in North America. Habitat management efforts aim to increase populations to support hunting.
Farming and Culture
Beyond hunting, the grey partridge is embedded in many European farming cultures. Its spring pairing displays are a familiar sight on farmlands. Conservation groups like the UK’s Grey Partridge Recovery Project are working to prevent the bird from disappearing from the landscape.
Conclusion
In summary, the grey partridge most likely originated on the steppes of Asia and spread through Europe alongside the expansion of agriculture, to which it is closely associated. It thrived on marginal farmlands but underwent severe declines due to agricultural intensification over the past century. From a familiar farmland bird, it has disappeared across much of its range and is now the focus of habitat conservation efforts where it was once a hunted gamebird. The fate of the grey partridge reflects the large-scale changes modern agriculture has wrought on landscapes and wildlife populations.
