Natural range of the red-legged partidge is western Europe, Corsica and the Canary Islands. It breeds naturally in south western Europe, in France and Iberia and has become naturalised in southern England. It has been introduced into many places worldwide, including the Canary Islands, the Azores, United Kingdon, Greece, Algeria, New Zealand and some parts of North America. In New Zealand, introductions in the late 19th century met with little success but attempts in the 1980s has met with mixed success. The species is now common on many game bird preserves
Their preferred habitat is dry lowlands, farmland and rolling hill country with scrubby gullies which supplies dense cover.
The Red-legged Partridge was introduced to Britain in the 1600s by Charles II, having brought them from France to provide target practice for guns. They are now resident and outnumber the native Grey Partridge.
— Greytown, Wairarapa, 2009
Taxonomy | |
---|---|
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Galliformes |
Family: | Phasianidae |
Genera: | Alectoris |
Species: | rufa |
Sub Species: |
Other common names: —
French partridge
Description: —
Introduced bird
31 cm; like chukor in size, plumage, red legs, red bill and voice but has black necklace higher on throat and streaked black and white on lower throat. Sexes alike.
Where to find: —
Birds were released between Kaipara Harbour and Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Upper Moutere Valley near Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury.
Youtube video —
Credit for the photograph: —
Illustration description: —
Gould, John, Birds of Great Britain, 1862-73.
Reference(s): —
Heather, B., & Robertson, H., Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand, 2000.
Page date & version: —
Saturday, 30 October, 2010; ver2009v1