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Chukar

Alectoris chukar

Chukars are colorful birds that love to run and hide in the grass. They have a special call that sounds like a cheerful 'chuk-chuk'! These birds are great at blending in with their surroundings.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Chukar is a plump, grey-brown bird with a distinctive black band running from its forehead, through the eyes, down the neck, and forming a gorget around a white throat. Its flanks are boldly striped black and white, and it has bright red legs and a red bill.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderGalliformesFamilyPhasianidaeGenusAlectoris
Chukar
Photo: Imran Shah from Islamabad, PakistanCC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗
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Chukar

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

13

Interesting facts

Chukar birds often live in large family groups called coveys, sometimes with over 20 birds!

Chukars will sometimes share their nesting duties with another female bird!

Their name, 'Chukar,' sounds just like their loud, repeated call!

They love to sunbathe, stretching out to soak up the warmth on rocks.

Special abilities

Ability

Rocky Runner

Chukar can quickly navigate steep, rocky slopes because of its strong legs and nimble footing.

Ability

Alarm Call

Chukar has a loud, distinctive 'chukar-chukar' call that helps them warn their group of danger.

Ability

Dust Bath Dabbler

Chukar can take dust baths which helps them clean their feathers and remove parasites.

Ability

Explosive Escape

Chukar can burst into short, powerful flights to escape predators from cover.

Measurements & details

Length
32-39 cm
Wingspan
47-53 cm
Weight
0.45-0.8 kg
Lifespan
3-5 years
Speed
70 km/h
Clutch Size
8-15
Incubation
22-24 days

Diet & Feeding

These ground birds primarily eat seeds, grasses, and leaves, with some tasty insects added in!

Age differences: Young chicks eat more insects for protein, while adults mainly consume plants.

Primary Foods

  • Grass seeds
  • Weed seeds
  • Berries
  • Leaves
  • Grasshoppers
  • Ants

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and be quiet so you don’t scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Chukar?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Chukar?

32-39 cm

What is Chukar's wingspan?

47-53 cm

How much does Chukar weigh?

0.45-0.8 kg

How long does Chukar live?

3-5 years

How fast can Chukar move?

70 km/h

What does Chukar eat?

These ground birds primarily eat seeds, grasses, and leaves, with some tasty insects added in!

Where is Chukar usually found?

Grasslands

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