Red-legged Partridge

(Alectoris rufa)

• Avicultural Data
• Images
• Bibliography
• Links

Range: Southwestern Europe - Spain, Portugal, France and Italy. This species has been introduced into many places worldwide, including the Canary Islands, the Azores, England, New Zealand and some parts of North America.

Subspecies: French Red-legged Partridge A. r. rufa, Spanish Red-legged Partridge A. r. intercedens, Corsican Red-legged Partridge A. r. corsa.

Habitat: Rocky hillsides, dry grasslands and cultivated lands.

Description: The plumage of both sexes are similar to other members of the genus. This species has a white forehead and a broken black line on the neck and throat which distinguishes them from the other Alectoris species. The flanks are also more barred with brown and buff, mixed with white. The males have small spurs and are slightly larger than the females.

Status in Wild: Still considered common, but is declining in parts of its native range.

Avicultural Data

Status in Aviculture: The French subspecies was once quite common in American aviculture, but has declined in recent years. Still relatively common in aviaries overseas.

Breeding Season: April to June.

Breeding Age: First year.

Clutch Size: 10 to 12

Incubation Period: 23 days

Misc. Aviculture Notes: This species is hardy and easy to keep in captivity. Some feel that they are a better game bird than the chukar, since they prefer a more grassland like habitat. Some game bird preserves have crossed them with Chukars for release.

Click on thumbnails for larger views.

Photo Credits
(l to r): 1, Jeff Whittam.

• 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 rufa Images - Images of this species located at the Phasianidae group on flickr.
• Red-legged Partridge - British Garden Birds factsheet.
• Red-legged Partridge - Mangoverde World Bird Guide Species Page; Photos & Sounds.
• Wikipedia - Red-legged Partridge - Wikipedia's species page.