# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 13 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Chukar](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chukar_Partridge_%28Alectoris_chukar%29_%2839660989151%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Imran Shah from Islamabad, Pakistan, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chukar_Partridge_%28Alectoris_chukar%29_%2839660989151%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Galliformes - **Family:** Phasianidae - **Genus:** Alectoris ## 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 - **Rocky Runner:** Chukar can quickly navigate steep, rocky slopes because of its strong legs and nimble footing. - **Alarm Call:** Chukar has a loud, distinctive 'chukar-chukar' call that helps them warn their group of danger. - **Dust Bath Dabbler:** Chukar can take dust baths which helps them clean their feathers and remove parasites. - **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 - **Eaten by:** [Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle) (*Aquila chrysaetos*) — A powerful bird of prey that hunts adult Chukars. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — A common predator that ambushes Chukars on the ground. - **Eats:** [Cheatgrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cheatgrass) (*Bromus tectorum*) — Chukars consume the seeds of this common invasive grass. - **Depends on:** [Big Sagebrush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/big-sagebrush) (*Artemisia tridentata*) — Provides vital cover and some food for Chukars in arid habitats. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## 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 ## Where to spot - [Circleville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/circleville-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Burro Schmidt Tunnel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burro-schmidt-tunnel) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Crater Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crater-historic-district) — Hawaii, US · Historic District - [James Cant Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/james-cant-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site - [Jawbone Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jawbone-canyon) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Mauna Kea Ice Age Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mauna-kea-ice-age-reserve) — Hawaii, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Chukar](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/chukar) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Chukar: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chukar)