Chukar Partridge

(Alectoris chukar)

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"Chester", the office Chukar 2001 Photo by Mare Cirelli

Other Names: Rock Partridge, Chukor

Range: Turkey, the Mediterranean islands, Iran and east through Russia and China and south into Pakistan and Nepal. The Chukar has also been successfully introduced into western North America, the Hawaiian Islands, England and New Zealand. Escaped birds have shown up across the United States. I have seen several in Missouri and have heard from those who have seen them in New York, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Virginia.

Subspecies: A. c. kleini, A. c. cypriotes, A. c. sinaica, A. c. kurdestanica, A. c. werae, A. c. koroviakovi, A. c. shestoperovi, A. c. subpallida, A. c. falki, A. c. dzungarica, A. c. pallescens, A. c. pallida, A. c. fallax, A. c. chukar, A. c. pubescens, A. c. potanini.

Habitat: Prefer rocky terrains, but have been observed in a variety of open woodlands and grasslands.

Description: Sexes similar. Chukars resemble other members of the genus Alectoris, being mostly gray all over with a black band from the eyes, down to below the neck. They also have several black bars on the flanks. The sexes are similar, with the female having a smaller knob on the legs than the males. Males also appear to be somewhat larger as well. Both sexes share the bright red bill and legs. Chukars have been known to hybridize with other members of the genus.

Status in Wild: Varies in different areas of natural range, but is conisdered stable and not threatened. The population in North America is doing very well and they are popular with hunters in the west. Wild populations also receive a boost when many thousands are released each year for sport.

Avicultural Data

One of the most commonly kept and bred of all game birds, they are known as great birds for the beginner in the hobby, being very easy to keep and breed in captivity.

Chukars are versatile breeders in captivity. They can be kept in pairs, trios and even in large colonies. Best fertility is with the smaller groups. Hens begin to lay in April and may lay well into the Summer. Hens may lay a large number of eggs in a season. 40 to 50 eggs per hen is not unusual. Chukars, as a rule, will not usually sit on their own eggs, so you will need to gather the eggs and place them in an incubator. Small bantams may be used, but choose only the smallest hens to set. Incubation lasts about 23 days.

Chicks are easy to raise. They are very active and require lots of room in the brooder. They are prone to cannibalism, so don't overcrowd in the brooder. They grow quickly and can be placed outside at about 6 weeks of age.

General Comments

As I have already mentioned, Chukars are great birds for beginners as they are so easy to keep and breed. If kept on the ground, they are very susceptible to a number of worms, as well as the disease blackhead. You can keep the birds on the ground if the aviary is well drained and there is no standing water. Chukars are native to dry, rocky areas in the wild, so landscape the aviary accordingly. It is also wise to worm the birds monthly as well. When kept on wire, Chukars are seperated from the organisms in the soil. You can place a pan of sand for the birds to "dust" themselves in.

Chukars are very hardy and can withstand both extremes of temperatures. During the Winter, keep as many birds as you can together so they can covey for warmth.

Mutations

There are several color mutations established in captivity including buff, red and white. I am not sure about the origins of these mutations, but will post here if the information becomes available.

Click on thumbnails for larger views.

Photo Credits
(l to r): 1-2, Mare Cirelli; 3, Mark Wagoner; 4, Scott Vowers; 5-6, Dan Cowell..

• Grewel, B. 2000. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Local Colour Limited, Hong Kong.
• Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., Inskipp, T. 1999. Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Christopher Helm, London; Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ
• Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., Inskipp, T. 2000. Birds of Nepal. Christopher Helm, London; Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Hayes, LB. 1995. Upland Game Birds: Their Breeding and Care. Leland Hayes, Valley Center, CA.
• Johnsgard, P.A. 1988. The Quails, Partridges, and Francolins of the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
• Madge, S., McGowan, P. 2002. Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Mullarney, K., Svensson, L., Zetterström, D., Grant, P.J. 1999. Birds of Europe. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Robbins, G.E.S. 1998. Partridges & Francolins, their Conservation, Breeding & Management. World Pheasant Association.

Links related to this species. Please note, links will open in a new window.

• Alectoris chukar Images - Images of this species located at the Phasianidae group on flickr.
• All About Birds: Chukar - Cornell Lab of Ornithology factsheet.
• Chukar - BirdLife species factsheet.
• Chukar - Identification tips, maps, and life history from the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.
• Chukar - Mangoverde World Bird Guide Species Page; Photos & Sounds.
• Wikipedia - Chukar - Wikipedia's species page.