Gray partridge Perdix perdix

Identification Tips:

• Length: 10 inches
• Sexes similar
• Stocky, ground-dwelling partridge with short, rounded wings
• Grayish-brown bird without bright markings
• Short, thick, pale bill
• Tawny cinnamon face with uncrested brown crown and ear patch
• Gray nape and breast with fine, dark vermiculations
• Brown back and upperwings
• Reddish-brown bars on flanks
• Rufous outer tail feathers visible in flight
• Male has dark brown patch on center of belly, female has smaller or absent marking
• Immatures similar to adults but have yellow rather than blue-gray feet

Similar species:

Chukar has red bill, black eyeline and necklace, and black bars on flanks. Northern Bobwhite has different face pattern and is smaller with a grayish tail in flight.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.