External description of birds
The bird has a whole list of external features. If we give a brief description of the white partridge, it will be as follows:
- miniature head with small eyes;
- the beak is relatively small, with the tip bent downwards;
- shortened neck and large rounded wings;
- four-toed short paws with strong claws;
- body length from 33 to 40 cm;
- body weight from 0.5 to 0.7 kg.
The male stands out against the background of the female. Despite significant differences in size, both representatives of the species are distinguished by their ability to quickly and without problems find food for themselves. They search for food under the soil and use their paws for this. Even impressive gusts of wind do not prevent them from maintaining balance during the flight. Throughout the year, the partridge's plumage changes color. Depending on the season, the appearance of the bird may vary.
The white partridge has different colors depending on the season. In cold weather it is white with small speckles of a dark shade on the tail. Shortened snow-white feathers are also visible on the paws. From the outside it seems like they are slightly shaggy. Due to this color, the partridge can easily hide from predators.
Females change their appearance faster than males. Already in March you can see bright brown and yellow specks on the body. Eyebrows turn red. But the main background of the feathers remains unchanged. It is rich white.
With the onset of summer, birds often change their feathers. They turn brown. The flight feathers are white with a yellow tint. The same goes for the lower torso and legs. By the richness of the plumage, one can easily distinguish between male and female representatives. The male's feathers are always darker in color. It is on this basis that he is distinguished from females.
Partridges of the genus Perdix
Partridges (Perdix) belong to the order of Galliformes of the pheasant family and are a favorite object for commercial and sport hunting. This genus includes 3 species:
- gray partridge;
- Tibetan partridge;
- bearded partridge.
What do partridges of the genus Perdix look like?
A characteristic feature of the gray partridge is its gray abdomen with a bright, round, dark-colored spot. The upper part of the plumage is pockmarked and brown in color. Males differ from females in being brighter in color. The male partridge's voice is loud and similar to the crow of a rooster, while females make sounds similar to the clucking of a hen. The total body length of the partridge is 28–32 cm, and its weight is 300–450 grams. There are no spurs on the legs.
Gray partridges have a memorable appearance
The Tibetan partridge has a black and white forehead, cheeks and throat. The bird's back is dark, its sternum is light with black stripes, and its wings are motley. The Tibetan partridge has 16 tail feathers, not 18 like other members of this genus. The maximum weight of the bird is 340 grams.
Tibetan partridge weighs no more than 340 grams
The bearded partridge is very easy to confuse with the brimstone. However, in the first, the sternum is colored light red. Along the edges of the throat of the bearded partridge there are elongated feathers that form a “beard” - hence the name of the bird.
The bearded partridge has a beautiful beard
The range of partridges and what they eat
The gray partridge is distributed throughout almost all of Europe, Kazakhstan, Asia Minor, central and southern Russia. The bird has no special preferences for terrain; it lives on the edges of forests, in forest-steppes, on river plains and in ravines overgrown with bushes. In mountainous areas it stays in the foothills. In harsh winter, partridges try to be closer to where people live - they tend to go where it is easier to find food. The gray partridge eats seeds, berries and herbs. The partridge often settles near fields of oats and buckwheat and, by eating harmful insects, thereby helps farmers. Growing chicks feed exclusively on larvae, worms and insects, but as they grow they switch to “adult” food.
Range of the Tibetan partridge : western China, Tibet, northern Pakistan, Bhutan, Sikkim, Kashmir and Nepal. Prefers to live in bushes with rhododendron and juniper. It feeds mainly on seeds, and the chicks eat insects.
The bearded partridge nests in the foothills of Altai, near Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan, and appears in the river valleys of the Tien Shan ranges, in the area of Abakan and Minusinsk. Also seen in the foothills of the Turkestan Range. Prefers mixed-grass hilly steppes and river valleys with low bushes. It feeds on rose hips, sea buckthorn, oats, barley, chia and wheatgrass seeds, beetles and ants.
How do partridges live?
The gray partridge is a social bird that lives in flocks of 20–30 individuals. The whole life of a partridge passes in one area. Only a lack of food can force a partridge to move to another territory. However, due to the change in her usual place, she experiences stress and becomes fearful. Grown-up chicks remain in the area in which they were born. The partridge is active in the morning and evening. It rarely flies - only in case of danger or to replenish food supplies, but it runs excellently, and easily overcomes various obstacles. When running, the partridge raises its head high, and when walking, it hunches over.
Out of season, the Tibetan partridge forms small flocks of 10–16 individuals. This species is terrestrial, non-migratory. If the bird senses danger, it can take off, but the flight of the partridge is designed for a short distance - it has rounded wings that are not suitable for long flight. Therefore, when alarmed, birds most often scatter noisily in different directions and take off only as a last resort.
The bearded partridge prefers a sedentary lifestyle, but in cold winters it migrates. The bird runs easily and quickly. It flies straight and low, and glides when landing. It never sits on trees and bushes. In winter, partridges create flocks of 100–200 individuals, but during the mating season they keep only in pairs.
Natural enemies of partridges from the genus Perdix
Birds have many enemies: kites, hawks, owls, gyrfalcons, foxes, arctic foxes. The younger generation is sometimes hunted by crows. The eggs are dangerous from snakes and hedgehogs, which can destroy nests. If the nests are located near a populated area, then cats and dogs can profit from the chicks. Due to such a large number of enemies, partridges rarely live past 4 years of age, but in captivity they live quietly for up to 10 years.
Male partridges often die while saving eggs and chicks from predators - they turn attention to themselves and gradually lead them away from the nest. If the male dies, the female takes full care of the chicks. If both die, then other partridges will take care of the chicks.
Female gray partridge with offspring
Reproduction of partridges from the genus Perdix
Partridges are monogamous. Each pair has its own nesting territory. Females build a nest in the ground, hiding it in bushes or thick grass. Both parents are involved in feeding and raising. Females lay eggs in May–June, 8–25 eggs at a time. Hatching of the eggs lasts an average of 23 days, during which the female leaves briefly to feed - during which time the father watches over the eggs. After the chicks hatch, they are immediately ready to follow their parents, as they hear, see and have plumage well.
Living conditions of birds
In places where the partridge lives, a variety of shrub crops usually grow. They love to settle in berry plantations, miniature birch forests and among willow trees. It is here that these birds can get food for themselves at any time. It is noteworthy that they spend a significant part of their time on the ground.
It is extremely rare to see partridges in flight, and only because they sensed danger from the outside. Also an exception to the rule can be considered the moment when they make seasonal flights. It turns out that the appearance of the birds completely works for them. The plumage allows you to effectively hide and be invisible , and powerful limbs make it possible to quickly escape from the enemy.
Where this type of bird lives, there may be snow for a long time. But birds are not afraid of such harsh conditions, since they are well adapted to such a climate. They make passages under snow cover without any problems. Here partridges find food or hide from hunters and predatory animals. Sometimes they manage to spend almost a whole day under snow cover.
Individuals living in the southern regions lead a sedentary lifestyle. Those partridges that live on the territory of the Timan and Kaninskaya tundra also remain to winter in place. These areas are rich in willow trees.
The white partridge is considered a flocking bird. The number of individuals in the group in winter is small and ranges from 5 to 15 birds. When the period of flights begins, this number increases to several hundred. Birds are divided into pairs when the time comes for mating and the appearance of offspring. Individuals living in the northern regions fly closer to the southern regions during winter
Natural enemies
The main natural enemies of partridges in nature are gyrfalcons, arctic foxes and polar owls. Chicks are often eaten by skuas and large gulls. The partridge population exhibits a 4-5 year cycle of fluctuations associated with a decrease and increase in the number of lemmings. When there are fewer rodents, predators kill many more partridges.
In many regions, partridge is actively hunted; the bird is valued for its tasty meat. In some areas, due to intensive shooting, birds had to be placed under protection.
Nutritional features and diet
Partridges prefer those areas where various grasses, shrubs and trees grow in sufficient quantities. Vegetation of any kind represents the main part of the diet. This is what the ptarmigan usually eats in the tundra:
- In the cold season, birds consume willow and birch buds, branches and shoots.
- With the onset of spring, they switch to seeds and leaves.
- In summer, birds feed on blueberries, cloudberries and other berries. They like blueberries, cranberries and lingonberries. Aspen leaves are another favorite delicacy.
What does it look like in summer
Closer to summer, yellowish or brownish inclusions appear on the main white background of the feathers of this resident of the tundra, and the eyebrows acquire a deep red color. With the arrival of summer, the bird turns speckled, although most of the body continues to remain snow-white. During this period, only the flight feathers, limbs and belly bark with a light yellow-white tint. The female tends to change her winter attire to the summer version earlier than the male. Birds are easily distinguished by hunters in summer by gender - this is due to the lighter color of the female’s feathers.
Mating games and life expectancy
The white partridge lives from 10 to 13 years in the wild. Unfortunately, sometimes they die earlier, as they become the target of hunting by predatory animals. An unfavorable period in this regard is considered to be the time of mating games. Then the males begin to divide nesting territories, which often ends in a fight. If they occur with particular cruelty, one of the opponents may die.
When the male manages to win a nesting place, he begins to look for a female. At the same time, it makes specific sounds, which zoologists call a mating song. The chants are accompanied by a kind of dance that the male performs near the female. If he chooses a mate, then it is for life. White partridges are monogamous.
These are silent birds, but during the breeding season their voices do not stop. Males perform songs even when flying.
They take off sharply, emitting screams, and 15 minutes later they just as sharply descend to the ground, emitting a trill. The song ends when the male is on the surface of the ground. After warm weather finally sets in, the birds move on to building nests.
Reproduction
Partridges, as a rule, are monogamous and choose one mate with whom they will raise their chicks. Sometimes one male chooses two females, but this is the exception rather than the rule. In the spring, dense flocks of partridges break up, and an active search for partners begins. The males put on their nuptial plumage, look for a place for a nest, and then begin to fight for the female.
At this time, quiet and inconspicuous birds are completely transformed. Partridges fiercely engage in fights with rivals, protecting their territory, and their trembling romantic cackling can be heard throughout the tundra around the clock.
One pair occupies an area ranging from 0.20 to 7 hectares. Each of them must have a hill on which the partridge will serve as a guard while his lady hatches her eggs. The bird's nest is made on the ground next to bushes or in open areas, often located between hummocks.
The pockmarked, pear-shaped eggs appear about a week or two after mating. Several times the partridge leaves the incubation to look for food. At this time, the male always accompanies her. 20 days after laying, the chicks appear, and after 10 days they learn to fly and can flutter short distances.
Number of individuals and bird harvest
Ptarmigan have been hunted for a long time. Their meat was widely in demand, especially among the northern inhabitants of the country. The birds did not adapt well enough to being kept at home, and therefore breeding partridges of this breed did not become popular.
In the wild there are enough animals that are interested in capturing these birds. Among them are lemmings, skuas, white owls, arctic foxes, and herring gulls. They attack them and destroy nests with eggs. That is why the size of the group directly depends on the territory where the predators are located and their numbers.
Climatic conditions also play a major role. Sometimes cold weather lasts for a long time. In the absence of sun and comfortable temperatures, birds refuse to nest. This is not surprising, because cold weather in the spring can be destructive for the brood. At the same time, when the weather is favorable, a rapid increase in the number of partridges is observed.
The white partridge is not classified as a rare species on the verge of extinction. For this reason, it was not included in the Red Book. Staying in hard-to-reach areas is also to thank for this. This protects the bird from extinction. The harsh climate they prefer also plays a role. Despite this, special measures are being taken today to protect birds. Special areas are organized where the white partridge can live without potential danger to itself.
Area
In past eras, the planet's climate was much colder and harsher, and partridges could have been much more widespread than today. Paleontologists claim that during the Pleistocene era they were settled in Southern Europe and the Balkans, Ukraine, Hungary and even Crimea.
Where do ptarmigan live today? Currently, their range includes mainly the Arctic and subarctic zones, as well as mountain subalpine belts. They are found mainly in the forest swamps and tundra of Russia, USA, Canada, Scandinavian and Baltic countries. However, birds are also found in the forest-steppes in northern Kazakhstan, in the mountains of Mongolia, Scotland, and in the heather meadows of Great Britain. They live in the Czech Republic, Ireland and Germany. They are not found in Greenland, Iceland or too close to the Arctic Circle. The northernmost areas of their distribution are at a latitude of 76 degrees, the southernmost - at a latitude of 45-60 degrees.
Interesting fact
The white partridge has a normal body temperature of 45 C and maintains it even in forty-degree frost.
Sources: ru.wikipedia.org , tropaohotnika.ru , ecosystema.ru
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