Newsletter / Blog
2011-08-26 Grey Partridge - Perdix perdix - alarming decline in numbers of 82%.
The Grey Partridge - Perdix perdix - also known as the Hungarian Partridge, was
successfully introduced to many parts of the world for shooting, including vast
areas of North America, where it is most
commonly known as Hungarian partridge, or just "Hun". Widespread and
common throughout its large range, the Grey Partridge is evaluated as Least
Concern on the IUCN Red List.
However, research
in European countries between 1980 and 2009 shows an alarming decline in
numbers of 82%.
The Grey
Partridge is a medium-sized, plump brown-backed bird, with pale brick-red head,
grey flanks and chest. The belly is white, usually with a large chestnut-brown
patch. Young are mostly yellow-brown and lack the distinctive face and
underpart markings.
The song is an explosive, metallic, creaking throaty kieerr-ik,
kieerr-ik, given at all times, especially at night. When surprised, they take
to the wing with loud wing noise and an excited "pitter pattering"
call.
They are mainly
seed-eaters, but will add insects and greens in winter and spring. The young in
particular eat insects. During the first 10 days of life, the young can only
digest insects. The parents lead their chicks to the edges of fields, where
they can forage for insects.
This bird breeds on farmland across most of Europe into western Asia. Breeding starts
in April with one clutch per season. The nest is usually on the ground under
the cover of a hedge or other tall plants. The eggs are
smooth, glossy, and uniform olive-brown. Hens lay between 9 and 20 eggs, which
she incubates for 23 to 25 days. The chicks are able to feed themselves, but both
parents care for them. The chicks wing feathers appear after about 5 days and
they can flutter at 10 days, but they are not fully fledged until 28 days.
They form coveys
which keep close together outside the breeding season. Grey Partridge are
sedentary and even the young rarely move far from their natal grounds.
Changes in
farming practices, such as autumn sowing, hedgerow destruction and use of
insecticides and herbicides have all contributed to the decline. |