A partridge is a medium-sized
galliform
Galliformes is an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding birds that includes turkeys, chickens, quail, and other landfowl. Gallinaceous birds, as they are called, are important in their ecosystems as seed dispersers and predators, and are often ...
bird in any of several genera, with a wide
native distribution throughout parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Several species have been introduced to the Americas. They are sometimes grouped in the
Perdicinae
Perdicinae is a polyphyletic former subfamily of birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae, regrouping the partridges, Old World quails, and francolins.
Although this subfamily was considered monophyletic and separated from the pheasants, trago ...
subfamily of the
Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family (biology), family of heavy, ground-living birds, which includes pheasants, partridges, junglefowl, chickens, Turkey bird, turkeys, Old World quail, and peafowl. The family includes many of the most popular Game (hunti ...
(pheasants, quail, etc.). However, molecular research suggests that partridges are not a distinct
taxon
In biology, a taxon (back-formation from ''taxonomy''; plural taxa) is a group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms seen by taxonomists to form a unit. Although neither is required, a taxon is usually known by a particular nam ...
within the family Phasianidae, but that some species are closer to the
pheasant
Pheasants ( ) are birds of several genera within the family (biology), family Phasianidae in the order (biology), order Galliformes. Although they can be found all over the world in introduced (and captive) populations, the pheasant genera na ...
s, while others are closer to the
junglefowl
Junglefowl are the only four living species of bird from the genus ''Gallus'' in the bird order Galliformes, and occur in parts of South and Southeast Asia. They diverged from their common ancestor about 4–6 million years ago.
Although origin ...
.
Description
Partridges are medium-sized
game
A game is a structured form of play (activity), play, usually undertaken for enjoyment, entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator s ...
birds, generally intermediate in size between the larger pheasants, smaller quail; they're ground-dwelling birds that feature variable plumage colouration across species, with most tending to grey and brown.
Range and habitat
Partridges are native to
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
,
Asia
Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...
,
Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...
, and the
Middle East
The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabian Peninsula, Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Anatolia, Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Pro ...
. Some species are found nesting on steppes or agricultural land, while other species prefer more forested areas. They nest on the ground and have a diet consisting of seeds and insects.
Hunting
Species such as the
grey partridge
The grey partridge (''Perdix perdix''), also known as the gray-legged partridge, English partridge, Hungarian partridge, or hun, is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. The scientific name ...
and the
red-legged partridge
The red-legged partridge (''Alectoris rufa'') is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. It is sometimes known as French partridge, to distinguish it from the English or grey partridge. The ge ...
are popular as
game birds
Galliformes is an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding birds that includes turkeys, chickens, quail, and other landfowl. Gallinaceous birds, as they are called, are important in their ecosystems as seed dispersers and predators, and are often ...
, and are often reared in captivity and released for the purpose of hunting. For the same reason, they have been introduced into large areas of North America.
Cultural references
According to Greek legend, the first partridge appeared when
Daedalus
In Greek mythology, Daedalus (, ; Greek: Δαίδαλος; Latin: ''Daedalus''; Etruscan: ''Taitale'') was a skillful architect and craftsman, seen as a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and power. He is the father of Icarus, the uncle of Perdix, an ...
threw his nephew,
Perdix
''Perdix'' is a genus of Galliform gamebirds known collectively as the 'true partridges'. These birds are unrelated to the subtropical species that have been named after the partridge due to similar size and morphology.
Taxonomy
The genus ''Pe ...
, off the sacred hill of
Athena
Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of ...
in a fit of jealous
rage. Supposedly mindful of his fall, the bird does not build its nest in the trees, nor take lofty flights and avoids high places.
As described by medieval scholar
Madeleine Pelner Cosman
Madeleine Pelner Cosman (December 4, 1937 – March 2, 2006) was an academic writer-researcher, policy analyst and advocate. She long held faculty membership at City College of New York.
As a medical lawyer, educator and healthcare policy guru, ...
, medical practitioners in the
Middle Ages
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
recommended partridge as a food of love: They suggested that "Partridge was superior in arousing dulled passions and increasing the powers of engendering. Gentle to the human stomach, partridge stimulated bodily fluids, raised the spirits, and firmed the muscles."
Probably the most famous reference to the partridge is in the Christmas carol, "
The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a festive Christian season celebrating the Nativity of Jesus. In some Western ecclesiastical traditions, "Christmas Day" is considered the "First Day of Christmas" and the Twelve Days a ...
". The first gift listed is "a partridge in a
pear
Pears are fruits produced and consumed around the world, growing on a tree and harvested in the Northern Hemisphere in late summer into October. The pear tree and shrub are a species of genus ''Pyrus'' , in the family Rosaceae, bearing the p ...
tree", and these words end each verse. Since partridges are unlikely to be seen in pear-trees (they are ground-nesting birds) it has been suggested that the text "a pear tree" is a corruption of the French "''une perdrix''" (a partridge).
The partridge has also been used as a symbol that represents
Kurdish
Kurdish may refer to:
*Kurds or Kurdish people
*Kurdish languages
*Kurdish alphabets
*Kurdistan, the land of the Kurdish people which includes:
**Southern Kurdistan
**Eastern Kurdistan
**Northern Kurdistan
**Western Kurdistan
See also
* Kurd (dis ...
nationalism. It is called ''Kew''. Sherko Kurmanj discusses the paradox of symbols in Iraq as an attempt to make a distinction between the Kurds and the Arabs. He says that while Iraqis generally regards the palm tree, falcon, and sword as their national symbols, the Kurds consider the oak, partridge, and dagger as theirs.
Species list in taxonomic order
*Genus ''
Lerwa
The snow partridge (''Lerwa lerwa'') is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae found widely distributed across the high-altitude Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan, Nepal and China. It is the monotypic, only species within its genus, and ...
''
**
Snow partridge
The snow partridge (''Lerwa lerwa'') is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae found widely distributed across the high-altitude Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan, Nepal and China. It is the only species within its genus, and is though ...
, ''Lerwa lerwa''
*Genus ''
Tetraophasis
''Tetraophasis'' is a genus of Galliformes in the family Phasianidae, which includes chickens, pheasants, partridges, grouse, turkeys, quail, and peafowl. It contains the following species:
* Verreaux's monal-partridge (''Tetraophasis obscurus'' ...
''
**
Verreaux's monal-partridge, ''Tetraophasis obscurus''
**
Szechenyi's monal-partridge, ''Tetraophasis szechenyii''
*Genus ''
Alectoris
''Alectoris'' is a genus of partridges in the family Phasianidae, closely related to Old World quail (''Coturnix'' and relatives), snowcocks ('' Tetraogallus''), partridge-francolins (''Pternistis''), bush quail (''Perdicula''), and sand and see- ...
''
**
Arabian partridge
The Arabian partridge (''Alectoris melanocephala'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae, native to the southern Arabian peninsula. Two subspecies are recognised, ''A. m. melanocephala'' and ''A. m. guichardi''. It sometimes hybridises ...
, ''Alectoris melanocephala''
**
Przevalski's partridge, ''Alectoris magna''
**
Rock partridge
The rock partridge or common rock partridge (''Alectoris graeca'') is a gamebird in the pheasant family, Phasianidae, of the order Galliformes (gallinaceous birds). It is native to southern Europe, and is closely related and very similar to its ...
, ''Alectoris graeca''
**
Chukar, ''Alectoris chukar''
**
Philby's partridge
Philby's partridge (''Alectoris philbyi'') or Philby's rock partridge, is a relative of the chukar, red-legged partridge and barbary partridges and is native to southwestern Saudi Arabia and northern Yemen. Although similar in appearance to othe ...
, ''Alectoris philbyi''
**
Barbary partridge
The Barbary partridge (''Alectoris barbara'') is a gamebird in the pheasant family (Phasianidae) of the order Galliformes. It is native to North Africa.
Distribution
The Barbary partridge has its main native range in North Africa, and is also na ...
, ''Alectoris barbara''
**
Red-legged partridge
The red-legged partridge (''Alectoris rufa'') is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. It is sometimes known as French partridge, to distinguish it from the English or grey partridge. The ge ...
, ''Alectoris rufa''
*Genus ''
Ammoperdix
''Ammoperdix'' is a small genus in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. It contains two similar species:
* See-see partridge, ''Ammoperdix griseogularis''
* Sand partridge, ''Ammoperdix heyi''
The see-see partridge occur ...
''
**
See-see partridge
The see-see partridge (''Ammoperdix griseogularis'') is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.
This partridge has its main native range from southeast Turkey through Syria and Iraq east to ...
, ''Ammoperdix griseogularis''
**
Sand partridge
The sand partridge (''Ammoperdix heyi'') is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.
This partridge has its main native range from Egypt and Israel east to south Arabia. It is closely related an ...
, ''Ammoperdix heyi''
*Genus ''
Perdix
''Perdix'' is a genus of Galliform gamebirds known collectively as the 'true partridges'. These birds are unrelated to the subtropical species that have been named after the partridge due to similar size and morphology.
Taxonomy
The genus ''Pe ...
''
**
Grey partridge
The grey partridge (''Perdix perdix''), also known as the gray-legged partridge, English partridge, Hungarian partridge, or hun, is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. The scientific name ...
, ''Perdix perdix''
**
Daurian partridge
The Daurian partridge (''Perdix dauurica''), also known as steppe partridge, Asian grey partridge or bearded partridge, is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes (gallinaceous birds). Its name derives from the ...
, ''Perdix dauurica''
**
Tibetan partridge
The Tibetan partridge (''Perdix hodgsoniae'') is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. They are found widely across the Tibetan Plateau and have some variations in plumage across populations. They forage on the g ...
, ''Perdix hodgsoniae''
*Genus ''
Rhizothera
''Rhizothera'' is a bird genus in the family Phasianidae, native to Malaysia and Indonesia. They are the only genus in the tribe Rhizotherini. Established by George Robert Gray in 1841, it contains the following species:
* Long-billed partridge ...
''
**
Long-billed partridge
The long-billed partridge (''Rhizothera longirostris'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae.
Distribution and habitat
It is found in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, ...
, ''Rhizothera longirostris''
**
Dulit partridge
The Dulit partridge (''Rhizothera dulitensis''), also known as Hose's partridge, has been considered a distinctive subspecies of the long-billed partridge, a bird in the Phasianidae, or pheasant, family. It is endemic to Borneo, where it appear ...
, ''Rhizothera dulitensis''
*Genus ''
Margaroperdix''
**
Madagascar partridge
The Madagascar partridge (''Margaroperdix madagarensis'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is widespread across Madagascar (except extreme south). It has been introduced to Réunion.
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tro ...
, ''Margaroperdix madagascarensis''
*Genus ''
Melanoperdix''
**
Black wood-partridge
The black partridge (''Melanoperdix niger''), also known as the black wood partridge, is a small (up to 27 cm long) partridge with a thick bill, grey legs and dark brown iris. It is the only member of the monotypic genus ''Melanoperdix''.
...
, ''Melanoperdix nigra''
*Genus ''
Xenoperdix
Forest partridges (''Xenoperdix'' sp.) are partridges, described only in 1994, consists of two species of African partridges that are most closely related to Southeast Asian hill partridges.
Both species have boldly barred plumage and a red bil ...
''
**
Rubeho forest partridge
The Rubeho forest partridge (''Xenoperdix obscuratus'') is a small, approximately long, boldly barred, brownish partridge with rufous face, grey underparts, and olive-brown crown and upperparts. It has a red bill, brown iris, and yellow legs. B ...
, ''Xenoperdix obscuratus''
**
Udzungwa forest partridge
The Udzungwa forest partridge (''Xenoperdix udzungwensis''), also known as the Udzungwa partridge, is a small, approximately long, boldly barred, brownish partridge with rufous face, grey underparts, olive-brown crown and upperparts. It has a red ...
, ''Xenoperdix udzungwensis''
*Genus ''
Arborophila
''Arborophila'' is a bird genus in the family Phasianidae. The genus has the second most members within the Galliformes after ''Pternistis'', although ''Arborophila'' species vary very little in bodily proportions with different species varying ...
'', the
hill partridge
The common hill partridge, necklaced hill partridge, or simply hill partridge (''Arborophila torqueola'') is a species of bird in the pheasant family found in Asia.
Description
Males of the species have ornate patterns and markings, a combina ...
s
**
Hill partridge
The common hill partridge, necklaced hill partridge, or simply hill partridge (''Arborophila torqueola'') is a species of bird in the pheasant family found in Asia.
Description
Males of the species have ornate patterns and markings, a combina ...
, ''Arborophila torqueola''
**
Sichuan partridge
The Sichuan partridge (''Arborophila rufipectus'') is a bird species in the family Phasianidae. It is found only in China where it is classified as a nationally protected animal. Its natural habitat is temperate forest. It is threatened by habit ...
, ''Arborophila rufipectus''
**
Chestnut-breasted partridge
The chestnut-breasted partridge (''Arborophila mandellii'') is a partridge species endemic to the eastern Himalayas north of the Brahmaputra, and occurs in Bhutan, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and south-eastern Tibet at elevations from . ...
, ''Arborophila mandellii''
**
White-necklaced partridge
The white-necklaced partridge (''Arborophila gingica''), also known as the collared partridge or Rickett's hill-partridge, is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is endemic to southeastern China. It is threatened by habitat loss and ...
, ''Arborophila gingica''
**
Rufous-throated partridge
The rufous-throated partridge (''Arborophila rufogularis'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in montane forests in India and Southeast Asia. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as a ...
, ''Arborophila rufogularis''
**
White-cheeked partridge, ''Arborophila atrogularis''
**
Taiwan partridge
The Taiwan partridge or Taiwan hill partridge (''Arborophila crudigularis'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found only in Taiwan, and its natural habitat is broadleaf forests. It is threatened by habitat loss, but at present ...
, ''Arborophila crudigularis''
**
Hainan partridge
The Hainan partridge (''Arborophila ardens'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is endemic to Hainan Island, China. Its natural habitats are primary evergreen forests. It is threatened by habitat loss and has been assessed as a v ...
, ''Arborophila ardens''
**
Chestnut-bellied partridge
The chestnut-bellied partridge (''Arborophila javanica'') also known as chestnut-bellied hill-partridge or Javan hill-partridge is a small, up to 28 cm long, partridge with a rufous crown and nape, red legs, grey breast, brown wings, red faci ...
, ''Arborophila javanica''
**
Grey-breasted partridge, ''Arborophila orientalis''
**
Bar-backed partridge, ''Arborophila brunneopectus''
**
Orange-necked partridge, ''Arborophila davidi''
**
Chestnut-headed partridge
The chestnut-headed partridge (''Arborophila cambodiana'') is a bird species in the family Phasianidae. It is found in highland forest in Cambodia
Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingd ...
, ''Arborophila cambodiana''
**
Red-breasted partridge, ''Arborophila hyperythra''
**
Red-billed partridge
The red-billed partridge (''Arborophila rubrirostris'') is a bird species in the family Phasianidae. It is endemic to the Basiran highland forest in Sumatra, Indonesia. It is the only member of the genus ''Arborophila
''Arborophila'' is ...
, ''Arborophila rubrirostris''
**
Sumatran partridge, ''Arborophila sumatrana''
*Genus ''
Tropicoperdix
''Tropicoperdix'' is a genus of two species of birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. Although formerly classified in the now-defunct subfamily Perdicinae, phylogenetic evidence supports them being a sister group to the tribe Polyplectroni ...
''
**
Scaly-breasted partridge, ''Tropicoperdix chloropus''
**
Chestnut-necklaced partridge
The chestnut-necklaced partridge (''Tropicoperdix charltonii'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in forests in the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. It is threatened by habitat loss and trapping. The International Union for ...
, ''Tropicoperdix charltonii''
*Genus ''
Caloperdix''
**
Ferruginous partridge
The ferruginous partridge (''Caloperdix oculeus'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It belongs to the monotypical genus ''Caloperdix''. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Taxonomy
The ferruginous partridg ...
, ''Caloperdix oculea''
*Genus ''
Haematortyx
The crimson-headed partridge (''Haematortyx sanguiniceps'') is a species of bird in the pheasant, partridge, and francolin family Phasianidae. Described by the British ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1879, it is the only species in the ...
''
**
Crimson-headed partridge
The crimson-headed partridge (''Haematortyx sanguiniceps'') is a species of bird in the pheasant, partridge, and francolin family Phasianidae. Described by the British ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1879, it is the only species in the ...
, ''Haematortyx sanguiniceps''
*Genus ''
Rollulus
The crested partridge (''Rollulus rouloul'') also known as the crested wood partridge, roul-roul, red-crowned wood partridge, green wood quail or green wood partridge is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gal ...
''
**
Crested partridge
The crested partridge (''Rollulus rouloul'') also known as the crested wood partridge, roul-roul, red-crowned wood partridge, green wood quail or green wood partridge is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, ga ...
, ''Rollulus roulroul''
*Genus ''
Bambusicola
Bamboo partridges, sometimes called ridge partridges, are medium-sized non-migratory birds of the genus ''Bambusicola'' in the family Phasianidae.They have a wide native distribution throughout Asia. They were formerly grouped in the Perdicinae ...
''
**
Mountain bamboo partridge
The mountain bamboo partridge (''Bambusicola fytchii'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Tibet, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The binomial commemorates Major-General Albert Fytche.
Their ...
, ''Bambusicola fytchii''
**
Chinese bamboo partridge
The Chinese bamboo partridge (''Bambusicola thoracicus'') is a small Galliform bird. It is one of three species in the genus ''Bambusicola'', along with the mountain bamboo partridge of the Himalayas, and the Taiwan bamboo partridge of Taiwan. Ch ...
, ''Bambusicola thoracica''
See also
*
Dick Potts
Dr. George Richard Potts (6 December 1939 – 30 March 2017), known as Dick, was an internationally renowned ecologist and conservationist. He was a specialist in the partridge. He is primarily associated with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Tru ...
, English ecologist and specialist in the
grey partridge
The grey partridge (''Perdix perdix''), also known as the gray-legged partridge, English partridge, Hungarian partridge, or hun, is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. The scientific name ...
.
References
External links
Videos, photos and sounds- Internet Bird Collection
{{Authority control
*
Bird common names