Classification
Order — Galliformes.
Family — Phasianidae.
Genus — Alectoris.
Species — Alectoris chukar.
Habitat
This partridge has its native range in Asia, including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, along the inner ranges of the Western Himalayas to Nepal. Further west in southeastern Europe it is replaced by the red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa. It barely ranges into Africa on the Sinai Peninsula. The habitat in the native range is rocky open hillsides with grass or scattered scrub or cultivation. In Israel and Jordan it is found at low altitudes, starting at 400 m (1,300 ft) below sea level in the Dead Sea area, whereas in the more eastern areas it is mainly found at an altitude of 2,000 to 4,000 m (6,600 to 13,100 ft) except in Pakistan, where it occurs at 600 m (2,000 ft). They are not found in areas of high humidity or rainfall.
It has been introduced widely as a game bird, and feral populations have become established in the United States (Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, high desert areas of California), Canada, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Hawaii. Initial introductions into the US were from the nominate populations collected from Afghanistan and Nepal. It has also been introduced to New South Wales in Australia but breeding populations have not persisted and are probably extinct. A small population exists on Robben Island in South Africa since it was introduced there in 1964.
Outward appearance
Height: 32 – 39 cm.
Wingspan: 47 – 52 cm.
Male weight: 510 – 800 g.
Female weight: 450 – 680 g.
Small chicken-like bird.
Face is white with a black gorget.
Neck and tail are short.
Back and chest are grayish brown.
Belly buffy.
Barring on flanks are bold black and chestnut.
Black line through eye, down neck and onto chest.
Throat is white.
Bill and legs red.
Wings short, rounded.
Sexes are similar, the female slightly smaller in size and lacking the spur.
Juvenile similar to adult, but dull brownish gray with faint brown barring.
Maintenance care
Partridges require a minimum of four square feet per bird, although more is certainly ideal. 28 square feet for a pair is recommended. They prefer dry ground so a higher elevation is good, as well, the addition of some rocks or tree stumps is important.
Like all outdoor pets they must have some shelter from poor weather. This can even be a dog house, or old shed, anything that provides shade, protection from rain, snow, and wind. Putting cardboard on the floor and covering it with straw is suggested. If possible provide a “upper level”, this will not be used as much but actually increases the room within the shelter should they need it.
Chukars are not normally kept as a pet you would pick up and hold to play with, they will tolerate handling, but are not an animal that appreciates it like a cat or dog would.
Chukar partridges are compatible with other small or gentle birds, and are sometimes kept with doves, or even bantam hens. It is best to keep them with other gentle birds around the same size, if you are going to keep them with any other bird.
Partridges may lay 40 eggs in a summer, but getting them to sit on their eggs to hatch them is a tricky matter. You can incubate the eggs which takes 23 to 25 days.
Feeding
Seeds, leaves, berries, insects. Diet varies with season. Many of major food plants are also introduced from Eurasia. Grasses provide much of food (seeds, leaves). In winter may feed mostly on seeds, such as cheatgrass and Russian thistle. Eats berries of Russian olive and other plants. Spring and summer diet includes many green leaves, insects.
Breeding
In courtship, male displays by tilting head, circling female. Both members of pair go through mock feeding movements; male may feed female. Nest site is on ground, usually hidden under shrub or overhanging rock. Nest is a depression with substantial lining of grass, twigs, feathers.
Diseases
Partridges tend to be hardy birds. However, they are prone to poultry diseases, such Botulism, Coccidiosis, owl typhoid, erysipelas, fowl cholera, avian tuberculosis, navel ill, crooked toes (young birds), Newcastle disease, eye infections and worms. Regular treatment for worms is recommended. Parasite Control. Proper vitamin and mineral supplementation will build up their resistance and make them less susceptible to these problems.
