Gray Partridge

Overview
Gray Partridge: Gray-brown ground bird with rufous face and throat. Body complexly barred and streaked with red and white. Dark red belly patch. Legs and feet are yellow-orange. Prefers to walk rather than fly. Introduced to North America as a game bird in the early 1900s. AKA Hungarian Partridge.

Range and Habitat
Gray Partridge: Introduced from Europe to many parts of northern United States and southern Canada, favors open farmlands and grassy fields.

The Gray Partridge is a gamebird in the pheasant family, and may also be called the “English Partridge”, “Hungarian Partridge” or simply “Hun”. Breeding grounds span across Europe and western Asia, and has been introduced in North America. Since introduction, it is common in southern Canada and the northern United States. Nests are built on the margin of cereal fields such as Winter wheat. These birds do not migrate, and are very territorial. The Gray Partridge typically forages for seeds in the fields, but young birds will also eat insects for added protein. The conservation rating of the Gray Partridge is Least Concern.

INTERESTING FACTS
Gray Partridge hens produce some of the largest clutches of any bird species. Clutch size can range up to 22 eggs, and averages 16 to 18. It is also known as the English Partidge, the Hungarian Partidge, or Hun. A group of partridges has many collective nouns, including a "bevy", "brace", "covey", "jugging", and "warren" of partridges.