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Latin name

Perdix perdix

Family

Partridges, quails, pheasants and allies (Phasianidae)

Overview

A medium-sized, plump gamebird with a distinctive orange face. Flies with whirring wings and occasional glides, showing a chestnut tail. It is strictly a ground bird, never likely to be found in pear trees! Groups of 6-15 (known as coveys) are most usually seen outside the breeding season. Once very common and widespread, it has undergone serious declines throughout most of its range and is a Red List species.

Where to see them

They are traditionally found in lowland arable areas of Great Britain from the chalk areas in the south, into East Anglia, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, reaching into the north of England and the East of Scotland as far as Aberdeenshire. There are small populations in other parts such as the permanent rushy pastures in the north Pennines. They are largely absent from N Ireland.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Leaves, seeds and insects

Estimated numbers

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)

3 illustrations 123

Male

Female

Juvenile

Similar birds

Red-legged partridge

Corncrake