The gray partridge is a representative of the Galliformes order from the pheasant family. Ornithologists suggest that this species formed on the territory of the corresponding modern Mongolia and Transbaikalia during the late Pleistocene, that is, about 2.5 million years ago. Later, the bird's range expanded significantly. There is evidence of Neanderthals hunting partridges. Research confirms that ancient people highly valued wild chicken meat and considered it a delicacy. Thus, the partridge has long been an object of hunting for humans.
History of partridges
Scientists claim that the ancestors of modern birds are two prehistoric species:
- P. palaeoperdix;
- P. margaritae.
The first species grew and developed in Southern Europe and served as an integral part of the diet of promising Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals living out their days.
Archaeological evidence of the life of the second species is found in Northern Mongolia and in Transbaikalia. Both species claim to be the direct ancestor of the partridge, but scientists still have doubts and operate with hypotheses rather than facts.
Birds prefer the temperate Eurasian climate. Some partridges are more sympathetic to species from other parts of the world, and they inhabit locations somewhere in Canada and the United States.
Birds lead a sedentary lifestyle. For living they prefer open areas where it is easy to get seeds and catch insects. The miniature bird builds nests on the ground in cozy places so as not to be subjected to anxiety and panic attacks once again while raising its young.
What does a modern bird look like?
The partridge has a small flattened beak and dark long legs. The size and weight (on average 450 grams) of partridge barely reach the average. The plumage is uneven: the upper part is pockmarked, the lower part is browner, the sides and tail are of a reddish hue. There are no spurs on the bird's legs. Males and females have one significant difference - the richness of their plumage. Females are paler, while males are striking in bright colors. This contrast is due to the desire of the male to continue the race and fertilize (by conquering the gorgeous color of his feathers) as many females as possible.
Partridge symbol in popular culture
The partridge is a controversial character in biblical history and ancient mythology. Holy Scripture uses the partridge as the embodiment of hunting skill and luck. The Bible describes the dexterity and rationality of the movements of birds, and gives the rules for hunting partridges.
Ancient mythology offers another, more interesting interpretation. It is believed that the partridge is a symbol of the Devil himself. He decided not to bother with the standard appearance in the form of an angry buffalo or an eagle waiting for its prey, but became an ordinary partridge. The little bird does not attract attention and allows him to carry out his devilish deeds without being noticed.
In addition to the biblical and mythological line, the bird has also become famous on a national scale. The partridge is the national symbol of Alaska. Small birds have gained fame even in heraldry. The coat of arms of the Kursk region consists of an image of 3 birds soaring in the air. There is no doubt that these are three birds from a rare, extinct subspecies of silver partridge.
The degree of threat to the existence of the species
Today, none of the species is in danger of extinction. There are 2 subspecies of gray partridge, which have the smallest number of individuals, because they suffered from hunting. This quantity is not critical, but if the state does not slow down the pace of hunting, the numbers may well cross the line into a deficit.
People are gradually worsening the living conditions of birds. We are building agricultural land and, thereby, reducing the habitat to unprecedented proportions. All that is required of humanity is to be loyal and follow the law.
Partridge hunting time
The hunting season for partridge begins in late summer and ends in late autumn or December. Specific dates vary by region. For example, in central Russia - in the Moscow region, in the Volga region, in the southern and central Urals - the season lasts from late July to mid-November. In mid-late October, birds begin their autumn mating and create new pairs. The families created by the birds spend the winter, and in the spring they begin breeding chicks. In the northern regions, the hunting season for ptarmigan shifts to the end of December, and the hunt ends only by the New Year.
Partridges are monogamous animals, and if a male or female is killed at this time, then there will be no more brood of chicks in the spring. In summer, hunting usually opens on the last weekend of July. By this time, the chicks from the new brood have already reached the size of adult birds and become quite independent. Among experienced hunters at this time, the rule of hunting ethics is observed: do not shoot a lot of game from one brood at a time. Otherwise, fewer young pairs will be created in the fall, and the bird population will not be able to recover next year.
Where to look for birds in winter and autumn
To successfully hunt game birds, you need to know how and where to look for it at different times of the year. In winter, it is quite easy to locate partridge feeding areas: birds in such places actively rake the snow cover with their feet in search of grains, seeds, and berries that have fallen to the ground. Typically, such places are located on the edges of forests, near birch or alder groves, in fields among compressed crops, in thickets of berry bushes.
At the end of summer and autumn, it is much more difficult to find places where birds regularly visit. Usually at this time of year they are grouped in berry fields among ripened sea buckthorn, bird cherry, cranberry, and hawthorn. The favorite food of partridges is the buds and catkins of birch, alder, and willow. Therefore, they often gather near groves of these trees, pecking the seeds that fall to the ground.
Varieties of partridge
Many people are probably interested in the question, where do partridges live? Now they live in Europe, Asia Minor, Kazakhstan, Western Siberia, the USA, Canada and other areas of the Earth. Depending on their habitat, conditions and lifestyle, birds are divided into two species - white and gray.
Partridge species
Ptarmigan
It belongs to the species of black grouse and has the features of a domestic laying hen. There are 7 subspecies of this bird recorded in the CIS. Each has a different color and size. Birds live mainly in forests.
They have a peculiarity - they change plumage depending on the time of year. In winter the bird is white, and with the arrival of spring the color of the feathers changes to chestnut. In winter, these birds live in flocks, and then split into pairs to breed.
Gray partridge
She, like the white one, looks like a chicken. The body is standard, round in shape and with a small head. The size of the partridge ranges from 28 to 32 cm. The bird has feathers of different colors. Their coloring is adapted to the habitat of these representatives of birds in open spaces. When danger arises, they are pressed to the ground and enemies cannot see them.
The bird is often confused with a quail. But what is the difference between a partridge and a quail? They lay eggs in the same way, their meat is dietary. But the main difference is that the quail flies to warmer regions in winter, while the partridges remain in their native lands.
Important! Partridges can fly short distances and they do this in order to find food for themselves.
Where does it live?
For living, the partridge chooses the most open areas of fields with gullies and ravines, meadows, and steppes. This bird loves when there is a lot of space for living and free movement, so its nests are never located in plantings or forest belts. This is also due to the nutritious diet - the partridge chooses fields with buckwheat, oats and millet.
The gray partridge usually lives in many areas of Europe, it can always be found in western Asia. It can be seen in Canada and North America. The natural habitat of the bird is considered to be the southern regions of Western Siberia and Kazakhstan.
The gray partridge is distributed from the British Isles and northern Portugal to the territory east of Altai. The eastern border of its habitat is the Ob River. In the north of the European part of Russia, the bird is found almost to the White Sea. In Western Siberia, the bird lives in birch forests with tall and dense grass. In the south, partridge nests can be seen in Transcaucasia, Central Asia and Tarbagatai. They are also found in northern Iran and Asia Minor.
Partridges live almost sedentary in the south, in steppe and semi-desert areas. But in the northeastern and northern parts, where a lot of snow usually falls, birds are forced to fly to the steppes of the Ciscaucasia, southern Ukraine, and Central Asia. Gray partridges sometimes travel to Siberia in order to spend the winter in peace. With the onset of autumn, birds of this species can always be found on the western coast of Lake Baikal.
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.
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.
Breeding at home
For successful breeding you will need at least two individuals - a male and a female. For them, you need to prepare food and a place to keep them. This could be a small barn or a spacious enclosure that is adjacent to the building. The room should be warm and protected from drafts. If the bird is needed for eggs, then it must be isolated from extraneous sounds.
Keeping birds in an aviary
Partridges feed on grain crops, just like chickens. Therefore, you can buy several bags of different grains for variety. The birds will not need any more food.
Important! It is necessary to remember that partridges can fly, so it is necessary to tighten the net in the enclosure.
In the wild, partridges can live up to 10 years. But most often they die early in life. This is due to hunters who shoot them in packs, as well as predators.
Social structure and reproduction
Photo: Gray partridge bird
This species of partridge is monogamous. Pairs among wild hens often last a lifetime. Both parents are equally involved in feeding and protecting the offspring. Wild chickens lay eggs once a year at the very beginning of May, from 15 to 25 eggs at a time. Partridge nests are built directly on the ground, hiding them in the grass, under bushes and trees. During incubation, which lasts approximately 23 days, the female only occasionally leaves the clutch to feed; during her absence, the male remains close to the nest and closely monitors the situation around her.
When a predator or other danger appears, they both try to divert all attention to themselves, gradually moving away from the clutch, and then, in the absence of a threat, they return. Males very often die during this period, sacrificing themselves for the safety of their chicks
Despite the high viability of the offspring, in especially rainy years the entire brood may die at once, since the nests are located on the ground. The offspring hatch almost simultaneously and are literally immediately ready to follow their parents across the territory of residence at a distance of up to several hundred meters. The chicks already have plumage, see and hear well, and learn quickly.
Gray partridges are social birds that constantly interact with each other. In the southern regions they live in flocks of 25-30 individuals; in the northern regions, flocks number half as many birds. If one of the parents dies, then the second takes full care of the offspring; if two parents die, the chicks remain in the care of other families of partridges living nearby. In particularly harsh winters, birds gather in close-knit groups and stay close together in small snow dens, since it is easier to stay warm together, and with the onset of a thaw, they scatter again to their secluded places.
Sit-down
If the hunter has discovered a place where partridges spend the night: small holes in which the birds slept, an abundance of tracks in the snow, then it is not necessary to look for feeding places for the flock. A village resident can lure a flock to a place of his own choosing and hunt quite effectively for 1-2 days in a row.
Before making a hide, partridges are fed in a convenient place where there is shelter for the hunter. Grain or mixed feed is scattered over the trampled snow (1/3-½ bucket daily is enough). Baiting is continued for 3-5 days, and then the time for hunting is chosen. You need to arrive at the shelter in the dark, because... The bird begins to feed as soon as it gets light. Having scattered the bait, the hunter hides in hiding and waits for the arrival of the flock. Such hunting is not carried out on snowy or blizzard days: the bird may not appear.
When the partridges arrive, they are shot from cover and then the trophies are collected. If you hide in hiding again, the flock will return (or another one will arrive). The shooting is repeated and the dead game is collected again. This can be repeated throughout the daylight hours while the bird is feeding. After 1-2 days of hunting, the disturbed flocks are left alone, continuing to feed them. A new shooting can be done in 4-5 days.
Reproduction
Gray partridges are monogamous. The male takes an active part in raising the offspring. The mating season is accompanied by a characteristic cry that spreads over large areas
With this exclamation, partridges attract the attention of their relatives, and also take off with it.
The nest is a small depression in the ground. Birds place plants at the bottom of the hole. The diameter of the dwelling is about 20 cm, the depth is approximately 7 cm. The nest is built in May. The chicks hatch in early June. The pair builds its nest in a safe place, hidden from the eyes of enemies. It is found in dense thickets, tall grass, and forest edges. The clutch consists of 10-25 eggs of a grayish-brown color. The shape has sharp and blunt ends. The female lays eggs at intervals of one day. The female incubates the eggs for approximately 23 days, leaving rarely and only briefly to feed. The male is always nearby, guarding the female and the clutch; in case of danger, both leave the nest, but always return when it has passed.
The offspring hatch in one day and immediately begin to lead an active lifestyle, without even having time to dry out. They can already follow their parents even at a distance of up to 200 m. The chicks reach adult size by one and a half months.
At the age of one week they can already fly for a short time, and at 14 days they can already travel long distances in the air. If one of the parents dies, the second parent takes care of the family. If both die, the entire brood is taken into the care of another family, which is always ready to accept new members.
When a family is in danger, they act differently: they can fly up and, after flying some distance, descend. If a predator threatens to attack, members of the family fly up and split into groups, then hide in the bushes. When the predator retreats, the male unites the chicks into a flock again.
Feeding during the non-productive period
From August, partridges are transferred to a normal diet. Birds should receive about 90 kcal and 3 g of crude protein per day. Most often they feed crushed corn, barley, oats and wheat, white bread crackers, succulent feed, and grass meal. An approximate diet in winter looks like this:
- Grain mixture - 25 g,
- Juicy food - 10 g,
- Low-fat cottage cheese - 2 g,
- Fish oil - 2 g,
- Mineral fertilizing - 2 g.
In addition to regular cereals, it is recommended to add sorghum and millet to the grain mixture. Succulent food is plant shoots, cabbage leaves and tops of root crops, grated carrots and fodder or sugar beets, alfalfa with clover, rowan or viburnum berries. If the chukars have the opportunity to roam in the winter, they can be offered small amounts of ground beef.
Listen to the voice of the partridge
Partridges are birds of the northern hemisphere.
The partridge's voice is abrupt; different species differ slightly in the sound they produce. For example, the stone partridge's voice resembles something like “kek-kek-kek.”
And this is how a white partridge screams.
This is the voice of the gray partridge.
https://animalreader.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Golosa-ptic-seraya-kuropatkamuzofon.com_.mp3
Partridges are active during daylight hours
When they go in search of food, they behave very carefully, constantly looking around so as not to become an accidental victim of any predator. If a partridge senses danger, it tries to hide among the branches or thick grass, its natural camouflage helps it in this.
Well, if it is not possible to hide, then the partridge flees for its life, fortunately, these birds can run very quickly!
Winter outfit of a white partridge.
The diet of partridges consists of plant foods. They eat the seeds of various weeds, love cereal grains, sometimes eat berries and buds, and dilute their menu with young leaves and thin roots. Sometimes insects serve as food for them. But this is all in the summer, but what do partridges do in winter? It turns out that the cold season also “feeds” these birds, for example: winter crops growing under the snow, frozen berries, remains of buds and seeds on trees. But there are times when in winter these birds die from exhaustion.
A pair of white partridges in winter.
Partridges are very prolific birds. The number of eggs in a clutch can reach 25 pieces. Male and female partridges are monogamous. Among all representatives of chickens, partridges are one of the most caring parents, in particular males. They look after the hen, and after the chicks appear, they participate in their upbringing.
The red beak of the male attracts females during the mating season.
Egg incubation lasts about 25 days. The chicks are born fully developed, covered with light down. Babies grow quickly in the first weeks of life.
Partridge eggs.
In the wild, partridges cannot boast of a long life. They only live up to 4 years of age. In this they are “helped” by such game lovers as: gyrfalcons, peregrine falcons, manulas, ferrets, foxes, arctic foxes, owls, harriers, kites and many other hunters.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2mceJGJ7bC0
Vocalization
Gray partridges in flocks look for places with tasty food, and when they find it, they make sounds “gook.gook.gk”, reminiscent of the clucking of chickens. Wary partridges make muffled “coo-kut-kut” noises. As they fly, frightened wild hens cry out anxiously, “chip-chip, chip.chip.kippipipip.” For males, as well as for females, the most typical call is one that sounds like a creaking “chirr” or “chirrik”. Most often, males make this call when they are on some elevation - this is both a signal of location and a threat to the opponent. During the mating season, males, staying in their area, often emit a peculiar cry “kierr-kek”; females at this time make frequent “pit-pit-pit-pit.” Both the female and the male call the chicks with a special clucking sound, reminiscent of a chicken's, but with a sharp increase in tone at the end of each sound. A female disturbed on the nest may hiss threateningly.
Reproduction and sexual selection
Galliform birds are famous for their violent displays. Some of them are limited to songs and dances imitating fights. However, there are birds that really fight not only until there is blood, but even to death. Everyone knows the pugnacity of domestic roosters. But not everyone has had the opportunity to watch fights between male partridges. Meanwhile, the spectacle is mesmerizing and impressive.
In the spring, when the snow has not yet completely melted, partridges scatter through the thawed areas to feed. At this time, males look for a suitable nesting territory. The next stage of sexual behavior should be colorful courtship of the female. However, many males have no time for mating games, because intense fights break out between them for the nesting territory.
Each such fight in any case becomes an element of sexual behavior. While the males fight fiercely, jumping, flying, jumping and plunging their claws and beaks into the enemy, the females stand aside and watch. After all, the winner of the fight will court, although the female does not always give preference to the most aggressive fighter.
All fights eventually end, and the females finally become the object of a beautiful and turbulent courtship. The male flies while performing a mating song. On the ground, he also makes special cries and takes various poses. At the final moment of ground mating, the male pursues the female, constantly dancing around her.
At the moment of such frantic display, the birds become extremely vulnerable because they do not notice anything around them. A person can come close to such a couple without causing any reaction in the birds
Sometimes it seems that partridges see everything, but really don’t want to be distracted from such an important event in their lives
The fact is that polar partridges are monogamous birds. After all these fights, dances and chatting, they will have to live together for all the years allotted to them by fate.
After the partridges divide their areas, break into pairs, and wait for stable warm weather, nesting begins. The female is responsible for building the nest. The main thing in this process is to find a secluded place. After this, somewhere under a bush or behind a stone, the female makes a hole with her powerful claws, lining it with plant material.
Typically, from 7 to 20 eggs appear in such a nest. They are pear-shaped and variegated in color. On the twigs and leaves of tundra plants, these pale yellowish and ocher-yellow eggs with brown spots and dots completely blend into the background. Their shape plays an important role in the safety of eggs. Pear-shaped objects usually do not roll away, but spin in place around their axis.
Sitting on the nest, the female tries not to discover herself and the nest until the last moment.
A person can come close to a bird, but at a certain critical distance the female takes off and in every possible way distracts attention to herself. The male also takes part in protecting the nest, trying with his demonstrative behavior to take a person or predator to a safe distance for the nest
After three weeks, the chicks emerge from the eggs, dry out, and then can immediately follow their parents. The female leads the brood away from the nest, choosing protected places. The male stays close to his chicks, caring for them together with the female.
During the period of raising offspring, all feuds are forgotten. Different broods with their parents can unite into one nomadic flock. In it, all adult birds protect all children.
Caring for the offspring lasts about two months. By autumn, young partridges begin an independent life, and in the spring, if they survive the winter, they form their own married couple.
The benefits of meat and eggs
The meat of this bird is considered dietary - it contains almost no cholesterol. The product is recommended to be included in the diet for diabetes, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, bronchi, as well as for obesity and a tendency to constipation. Consumption of the product increases hemoglobin levels and has a positive effect on the functioning of the hematopoietic organs.
Partridge meat is considered an aphrodisiac.
The weight of the eggs does not exceed 15-20 g. Their shell is thin and the color is spotted. The general background is ocher, olive, clayey. In terms of the amount of calcium, phosphorus, iron, sulfur and some vitamins, partridge eggs are superior to chicken eggs. The dietary product can be given to children starting from the second year of life. It helps strengthen teeth, nails, hair, bone tissue, has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and neutralizes swelling.
Breeding partridges is a profitable and promising business. There is still little competition in this area and there is an opportunity to find your niche. Restaurants become the main customers, but you can also offer products directly to consumers.
Description of the appearance of the gray partridge with photographs
To clearly imagine what a gray partridge looks like, you need to study its photo and description. The appearance of the bird has a number of characteristic features, namely:
- dense body of round shape;
- small ocher head;
- gray-blue color of feathers with a bright pattern on the back;
- the throat and cheeks are brightly colored;
- a dark brown spot on the abdomen, shaped like a horseshoe;
- red tail feathers;
- brown stripes on the sides;
- beak and legs of a dark shade;
- length from beak to tail from 28 to 33 cm;
- body weight 300-450 g;
- wingspan – 45-49 cm.
Male gray partridges are brighter in color than females, and younger individuals can be distinguished by the presence of longitudinal dark gray stripes on the body.
Origin and evolution
Scientists are confident that the gray partridge traces its origins to several prehistoric bird species. Its ancestors inhabited the southern part of Europe and were the favorite food of Neanderthals - this is evidenced by excavations and numerous studies. Blue or gray partridges were established as a separate breed back in the period called the late Pleistocene. Some experts still believed that this species owes its origin largely to the Pliocene of Northern Mongolia and Transbaikalia.
Partridge breeding as a business
Partridges are bred as a permanent source of income.
This business has a number of advantages:
- There are a small number of entrepreneurs involved in breeding and keeping partridges at home.
- There is a constant demand for partridge meat and eggs on the market.
- The ability to set a price based on your costs.
- The ability to dictate terms to customers when selling goods.
Decorative partridgesThis business also has its disadvantages:
- The high cost of purchasing partridges for breeding.
- Limited supply of partridge eggs for breeding.
- Long payback period.
First of all, you should register your business with the tax office. This type of activity fits the OKVED code 01.24 - Breeding poultry. Registration of an individual entrepreneur is suitable. Then equip a place to house the birds and purchase partridges for breeding.
Since the business of raising partridges is not very competitive, there will be no difficulties with selling the products. The main buyers may be large grocery stores and restaurants.
Where to buy partridges or hatching eggs for breeding?
In order to save money, you can catch partridges in their habitats, but this is long and troublesome.
Currently, partridges for breeding and hatching eggs can be purchased through an advertisement in a newspaper or on the Internet. You need to make sure that the seller has documents guaranteeing the quality of the eggs. You should also request a certificate confirming that the bird is indeed a partridge. Only in this case can you safely respond to the offer.
You can purchase one gray partridge hatching egg for 200-300 rubles. The cost of one individual can reach 900 rubles per piece. For breeding you will need 5-6 partridges.
Gray partridge
Usually partridges are bred not far from their natural habitats. That's where you should buy them. In Russia, birds can be bought for breeding in Karelia, Altai, Rostov region, and in the foothills of the Caucasus.
Be sure to read:
10 popular types of poultry to keep in a cage at home
Planting eggs and raising young animals
In captivity, a partridge can lay up to 50 eggs. To achieve this result, birds will have to organize a long daylight hours - up to 15 hours a day. In addition, birds will need balanced food.
Partridge eggs
Gray partridges hatch chicks on their own, up to 15 at a time. In order for a partridge to sit on eggs, it is necessary to prepare a perch. You can take a cardboard box or a wicker basket. Straw is placed at the bottom of the container. The eggs are laid on the flooring, then the hen is placed.
After 20-25 days, the chicks appear. After 10 days, the chicks are separated from their mother. They are placed in a dry and warm enclosure.
Poultry yard arrangement
It is not recommended to raise pets in cramped cages - being in a confined space, they will experience stress and will not hatch offspring.
The cage, however, has its advantage - the bird enters sexual maturity earlier than in the wild or in an aviary.
The enclosure is made of cotton or nylon mesh with a mesh size of 1x1 cm. The mesh is stretched over a wooden frame at least 2 m high, made of slats (beams). A metal net is not used due to its high rigidity - the bird will be injured.
The area depends on the number of individuals - 0.5-1 sq.m is allocated for each. It is recommended to arrange the interior space to imitate the natural habitat. Sheaves and green spaces located on the ground allow you to achieve your goal. You will need a canopy to protect from direct sunlight and adverse weather.
The meat of this small bird is valued not only by people - dogs, foxes, ferrets and even crows are not averse to eating it. It is important to remember this when organizing an enclosure - it is worth excluding the possibility of predators getting inside. Since the birds, although they fly poorly, run very quickly, you need to make a vestibule at the entrance - otherwise losses cannot be avoided. For “bathing”, boxes with sand are installed, and for feeding, drinking bowls and feeders are installed.
During the cold season, pets are moved to an enclosed space, such as a barn. It is important to ensure that there are no drafts and protection from rodents. The floor in the “winter” room is lined with dry straw - it will have to be changed regularly. As in an open enclosure, a vestibule must be made, and the windows are protected with mesh. A net is also stretched under the ceiling, at a height of 2 m. Troughs with food and water are installed in the room. In winter, artificial lighting is provided, since the lack of light has a bad effect on spring reproduction (the optimal length of daylight hours is 15 hours). Otherwise, partridges are not very demanding - they are unpretentious in keeping at home, have strong immunity, and do not need serious care.
Features of behavior
The gray partridge is a sedentary bird. As a rule, she spends her entire life in the places where she was born. And he can leave his native land only in extreme cases: during a hunger strike or fleeing human activity. Chickens spend most of their day searching for food, and they are most active in the morning and evening. Day and night, birds try to be as quiet as possible so as not to attract the attention of predators.
Partridges run quite quickly, and when they feel potential danger they try to hide. They fly low, as a rule, the flight of a partridge is short and swift and, again, is associated with possible danger. The disturbed bird takes off sharply and moves 200-300 m, after which it hides in a new shelter. Partridges live in groups of 30-40 individuals. However, with the onset of mating season, the flock breaks up into pairs.
The courtship period for partridges occurs in the early spring months. monogamous, he chooses one pair for himself and begins to build a “family” with her. The nesting period is preceded by a courtship period, when the male makes peculiar sounds and, fluffing up his plumage, dances. The first female who will pay attention to his “efforts” will become his chosen one.
About a month after partridge pairs form, mating occurs and egg laying begins. In mid-latitudes this occurs around April - May. The laying nest looks like a shallow hole right in the ground, located in dense vegetation, under bushes or in another more or less protected place. Birds lay dry grass and feathers at the bottom of the nest hole.
The testicles are oval, greenish in color and weigh about 14 g. The incubation period lasts 24-25 days, the male and female divide the responsibilities for heating the clutch in half. In general, it must be said that the partridge family is friendly, and the parents of the gray birds are excellent. As soon as the entire brood hatches, adult birds will immediately take it away from the nest 200-300 meters for safety reasons. Fortunately, newborn chicks are almost immediately independent and can already run quickly.
And after a month, the chicks will be able to fly almost the same way as adult birds. In case of danger, partridges selflessly protect their brood. The male always takes the blow, distracting the predator in every possible way so that the female has time to take the chicks away. Sometimes parents save their chicks at the cost of their own lives. Alas, most chickens without parental care quickly become prey to predators.
It must be said that in its natural environment the Gray Partridge has a lot of enemies. It is hunted by foxes, raccoons, ferrets, weasels, eagle owls, hawks, stoats, harriers, and, eventually, humans. It is the Gray partridge that often becomes the prey of hunting enthusiasts. Due to uncontrolled hunting and deteriorating natural conditions, the population of Gray Partridges has decreased significantly. And then in the video you can look at Gray hens living in captivity.
Hunting with decoy
The decoy imitates the voice of a male calling birds. The females included in the flock respond to his voice and fly closer to his intended location. Hunters use this instinct, calling hens when they are not visible or they are in an inconvenient place to shoot. When using a decoy, you can detect a previously unnoticed flock by the fluttering of individual individuals and voices.
Hunting with decoy is carried out at the beginning of winter, when the bird, which has fattened up in the fall, practically does not fly. You can find trails along the edges of fields, near forest belts, but sometimes it is difficult to spot the game itself.
Using Traps
In addition to hunting game using firearms, there are numerous ways to catch partridges using homemade traps. These include:
- Silkie. Simple devices in the form of numerous loops of thin wire or fishing line, scattered in feeding areas of game birds.
- Loops. A single device installed on a path or in a specially made trap.
- Ice holes. They thaw in deep snow with a bottle of hot water. After this, food is poured into their bottom, and the bird, in an attempt to get it, gets stuck in the hole.
There are many different options for making snares and loops, each of which has its own pros and cons, depending on the specific conditions of use.
Hunting with a dog
A hunter's best assistant is a dog. A specially trained animal uses its tracks to find where partridges feed or spend the night at the beginning of winter. The following dog breeds are suitable for hunting small game:
- pointer;
- cop;
- spaniel;
- drathaar or kurtshaar;
- sometimes they hunt with a husky.
Hunting with a dog resembles the approach method, but the search for the pack is carried out by a four-legged assistant. The dog may find a wounded and unnoticed bird that did not fly away with the flock.
Nutrition and behavior
The gray partridge prefers to eat food that is of plant origin. Selects grains, young shoots and leaves for daily consumption. In the harshest months of the year, namely winter, the diet consists of green particles of winter grains.
Partridges, along with other representatives of the chicken family, help agriculture and forestry - they eat harmful insects, slugs and snails. Insects and their larvae can be called a favorite delicacy. Birds easily find harmful turtles and make them their prey, that is, food. They bring undeniable benefits because they eat weeds.
Early in the morning and in the evening, partridges go in search of food every day. During the day and during the roosting period, they always hide from predators in dense thickets.
Bluebirds lead a sedentary lifestyle. They can leave their favorite places only in search of food. During the migration process, partridges behave uncharacteristically - they become too timid. In autumn and winter they live in large flocks.
When the snow begins to melt in the spring and mating time approaches, the birds in pairs occupy areas of the territory for nesting. It is at this time that the voices of males are heard, who organize fights for the right to own a female. They strive to strike their opponents using their claws and beak.
Partridges fly low above the ground, flapping their wings loudly. These ground-dwelling birds often run between bushes, dig in the ground, or bathe in dust. If you frighten a flock, it takes off from its place with such loud sounds that can become frightening for the average person. The partridge usually flies, strictly adhering to a straight line, does it quickly and lands not far away.
They prefer to build nests in a favorite quiet place, using found grass and branches for their arrangement. The bird likes to choose fields and dry meadows for nesting, especially those adjacent to bushes, ravines and ravines, and forest edges. On the territory of the endless steppe, its nests are found where there are thickets of bushes or weeds, in island forests, and young forest plantations.
The birds' voice is similar to ordinary chickens. Females make a characteristic clucking sound, like hen hens, and males produce sounds reminiscent of the “crow” familiar to village residents.
Hatching chicks
In order for chicks to hatch from eggs, the male must be in an enclosure with the female. The pair is planted only in mid-summer. A basket with a diameter of 30 cm is used as a nest. The bottom is lined with dry straw. Partridges are considered excellent hens.
If the eggs are obtained from a nest of wild individuals or purchased from a farmer, then a small chicken will be suitable for the role of a hen.
They are placed in such a way as to prevent them from touching each other. For two weeks they are turned once every 2 days. The hen is provided with access to water and food. A box with sand and ash for “bathing” is placed nearby. When she leaves the nest for a walk, the eggs are inspected for dirt and integrity. You cannot add new ones, since the hen will leave the nest immediately after the chicks appear.
If possible, an incubator is used to produce young animals. Eggs, previously checked visually, are placed there (there should be no cracks, small specimens are not suitable). A special device, the ovoscope, can also verify suitability. With its help, it is possible to detect displacement of the yolk, agitation, and blood stains. Specimens with two yolks are also not suitable for hatching.
Before incubation, the storage period should not exceed 3 weeks at a temperature of +13...+20°C and a humidity of no more than 60%. The duration of stay in the incubator is 23-25 days. Temperature and humidity until day 22 are 37.6°C/60%. For the remaining time, the eggs are kept at a temperature of 36.5°C and a humidity of 70%. Modern incubators automatically maintain the microclimate and even turn the eggs in the required manner at specified intervals.
The hatched young are given the opportunity to walk in an enclosure with dry soil. Optimal temperature: +35°C. Natural light is required for normal development.
Immediately after birth, the chicks are fed boiled mashed yolk. Subsequently, the diet is enriched with crushed plant food: cabbage leaves, dandelion, yarrow. Starting from day 5, food of animal origin is added: ant eggs, half-cooked meat. Young animals need to be fed in the morning and evening at the same time.
Gray partridge protection
The steppe chicken needs care and protection from humans, but nevertheless the bird is not included in the Red Book. Ornithologists classify wild chickens as the fifth category, that is, a species that itself restores its numbers. The birds' fertility saves the species from extinction. A hen's ability to lay more than 20 eggs at one time is truly unique.
Despite their wide range, flocks of wild chickens are small, about 30-40 individuals. Unfortunately, even with high fertility, there is a persistent decline in the number of birds. The quantitative indicator is influenced not only by weather conditions and climatic conditions, but also by the use of mineral fertilizers, as well as the use of aggressive chemicals in agronomy. Fertilizers applied to the soil and pest control sprayed over grain fields often turn out to be poisonous to birds.
The following actions are being taken as environmental measures aimed at maintaining the recovery of the species:
- a ban on hunting wild chickens is imposed;
- cereal fields are not completely harvested, leaving untouched ears near ravines and bushes;
- use fertilizers and pest control products that are safe for birds;
- organize the capture of stray animals and destroy rats.
The gray partridge is one of the birds that, without any exaggeration, has lived next to people for centuries. The survival and prosperous existence of a species largely depends on human actions.
Gray partridge
Animal in the Moscow Zoo
Gray partridges have long been kept in the Moscow Zoo. These birds tolerate captivity well and do not create problems in keeping. They quickly get used to humans and can even take food from hands. As food, partridges receive grain mixture, mixed feed, cottage cheese, and sometimes insects. In summer, fresh grass or twigs are placed in the enclosure.
You can see gray partridges at the Moscow Zoo at the “Fauna of Russia” exhibition, where they live in an enclosure together with common pheasants, white hares and small passerine birds. Despite their unpretentiousness, gray partridges do not nest at the exhibition, since the hares, moving around the enclosure, create disturbance, and the birds do not dare to have chicks.
Enemies of partridges
These include almost all four-legged predators, including stray dogs and cats. They systematically comb the meadows and steppes, looking for nests where they can profit from eggs and chicks. Partridges and feathered predators are constantly pursuing them. Hawks, kites, crows, and sparrowhawks hunt both young and adult partridges.
Another danger is posed by poachers who hunt birds using various prohibited methods. For these reasons, today the gray partridge is on the verge of extinction. The Red Book does not yet include these birds in its list, but hunting organizations should organize measures to protect partridges.
Lifestyle and habitat
For the main part of the year, birds stay in groups, small flocks, which often form around an unbroken brood. Collectivism is characteristic of group members. Birds survive the cold nights by huddling together. During flock feeding and daytime rest, one or two birds remain on duty and monitor the situation.
Partridges are sedentary birds. Their flocks sometimes change nesting territories. The reason for migration may be overpopulation of the area. This happens when numerous offspring are successfully raised.
The harsh winter forces us to hit the road. Partridges living in mountainous areas like to settle in the lowlands for the winter. Development of territories and human economic activities also force birds to wander.
Partridges do not like to fly. They spend most of their time on the ground. They take to the air only in case of danger. Not the best aerodynamic qualities are confirmed by the noise that accompanies their takeoff. When climbing and in flight, fast and sonorous strokes alternate with gliding.
The ability to fly, run quickly on the ground and hide well does not provide partridges with safety. All predators, from domestic cats to foxes and wolves, scour the fields in search of nests and flocks of partridges. Feathered aggressors - hawks, buzzards, harriers - are no less dangerous than ground-based ones.
In addition to predators, winter tests the viability of partridges. In places with mild winters and little snow, partridges live in flocks. They are located near winter fields, along the banks of reservoirs, in thickets of bushes. The flock manages to feed itself from a territory of 1 square meter. km.
During snowless winters, partridges gather in a dense group to spend the night. They hug each other closely. They form a circle of birds with their heads pointing outward. This configuration allows all individuals to take off at once in case of alarm.
In the event of a snowy winter, each bird is housed separately. Spends the night in a snow chamber. There have been cases when partridges disappeared into the snow after flying. They made passages and arranged places to spend the night in the snow.
Cold winters, dry summers, and terrestrial and avian predators are serious existential threats. Nature has found a way: the partridge bird wins its place in the sun through fertility and the rapid maturation of its offspring.
Bird's habitat
The bird can be found in the southern part of Russia, Denmark, Sweden, even in the territories of Germany and Great Britain. That is, the gray partridge has a wide habitat. The places where it can most often be found are meadows, small ravines, and bushes. Sometimes the partridge bird appears in vast fields. You can also meet it in swamps and swampy areas, but only if there are dry islands there. Typically, wild partridge avoids settling in dense forests, preferring forest edges, clearings, and groves. They are attracted to these areas by the presence of large bushes, in which the birds spend their lives and hide from enemies.
If a gray partridge has chosen a place to live, it will not leave it. The chosen place becomes a home for the birds for life. Here they feed, build nests, and take care of the chicks. The most remarkable thing is that the chicks, growing up, remain in the same territories.
