Grey Partridge

Perdix perdix

Genus · Perdix Partridges Family · Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
FarmlandField marginsUrban

Look for them in field corners or along hedges at dawn or dusk. Their orange faces are distinctive against their grey bodies.

Grey Partridge

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan45–48 cm
Weight350–500 g
Length29–32 cm
Lifespan wild2–5 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeScrape
Clutch size10–20 eggs
Incubation23–25 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationResident
Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Omnivore

🌾Grain
🦗Insects
🍃Plants
🌻Seeds

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🌿 Grassland
✦ Fun Fact

The Grey Partridge is incredibly prolific. A single nest can contain up to 20 eggs. This is one of the largest clutch sizes of any European bird.

About

A medium-sized, dumpy bird of agricultural land and grasslands. The Grey Partridge was once common but is now a focus for conservation due to population decline. It is a resident bird. Its subtle grey, orange, and brown plumage provides excellent camouflage against soil and stubble.

Behaviour

Partridges are highly social and live in family groups. When disturbed, the whole group flushes at once with a loud whirring sound. They fly low before gliding into cover. They are ground-feeders that eat seeds and insects. The male has a harsh, creaking 'pree-pree-pree' call. They only fly when absolutely necessary.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Features a bright orange face. He has a large, dark chocolate-brown 'horseshoe' mark on his lower breast.

♀ Female

Has a duller orange face. The dark horseshoe mark on the breast is much smaller or absent. Her wing feathers have distinct pale cross-bars.

Similar species

Red-legged Partridge
🐦
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufa
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