ExploreBirds

Gray Partridge

Perdix perdix

The Gray Partridge is a small bird with a round body and a short tail. They are often found in fields and grasslands, where they like to hide among the plants.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Gray Partridge is a plump, medium-sized ground bird. It has a grey body with fine brown barring, a reddish-brown face, and a distinctive dark chestnut horseshoe-shaped patch on its chest. Its short, rusty tail is often seen in flight, setting it apart from other small game birds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderGalliformesFamilyPhasianidaeGenusPerdix
Gray Partridge
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgecamouflaged trait badgegrassland trait badge
Gray Partridge

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A Gray Partridge mom can lay over 20 eggs, one of the biggest clutches in the bird world!

Chicks can run and find their own food just hours after hatching, amazing for babies!

In winter, families form huddles called 'coveys' to share body warmth and stay safe together.

They love to take 'dust baths,' rolling in dry soil to clean their feathers and remove tiny pests.

Special abilities

Ability

Master of Disguise

Gray Partridge has finely barred feathers that help them disappear into grassy fields, making them masters of disguise.

Ability

Explosive Takeoff

Gray Partridge can burst into fast, low flight because their powerful wings help them escape predators quickly.

Ability

Super-Sized Family

Gray Partridge can lay huge clutches of up to 20 eggs, which helps ensure more chicks survive.

Ability

Ground Runner

Gray Partridge has strong legs and feet that help them run quickly and forage on the ground for food.

Measurements & details

Length
28-32 cm
Wingspan
45-48 cm
Weight
0.3-0.5 kg
Lifespan
2-4 years
Top Speed
50 km/h
Clutch Size
10-18
Incubation
23-25 days

Diet & Feeding

Gray Partridges mostly munch on seeds, grains, and green plants, but chicks also love tasty insects!

Age differences: Chicks primarily eat protein-rich insects for growth; adults shift to mostly plant material.

Primary Foods

  • seeds
  • cereal grains
  • young leaves
  • aphids
  • beetles
  • grasshoppers

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

A common predator for adults and eggs in their grassland habitats.

eaten by

Common Buzzard

Buteo buteo

Hunts partridges from above in open field environments.

eats

Common Wheat

Triticum aestivum

Feeds on fallen grains and young shoots in agricultural fields.

eats

Black Bean Aphid

Aphis fabae

Chicks rely on these small insects for essential protein.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see a bird, watch quietly and don't try to catch it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Gray Partridge?

28-32 cm

What is Gray Partridge's wingspan?

45-48 cm

How much does Gray Partridge weigh?

0.3-0.5 kg

How long does Gray Partridge live?

2-4 years

How fast can Gray Partridge move?

50 km/h

What does Gray Partridge eat?

Gray Partridges mostly munch on seeds, grains, and green plants, but chicks also love tasty insects!

Where is Gray Partridge usually found?

Grasslands

How does Gray Partridge hunt?

Foraging

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