Red-legged partridge

Red-legged partridge
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Genus: Alectoris
Species:
A. rufa
Binomial name
Alectoris rufa
Synonyms

Tetrao rufus Linnaeus, 1758

Alectoris rufa rufa - MHNT
Alectoris rufa - MHNT

The red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. It is sometimes known as French partridge, to distinguish it from the English or grey partridge. The genus name is from Ancient Greek alektoris a farmyard chicken, and rufa is Latin for red or rufous.[2]

It is a rotund bird, with a light brown back, grey breast and buff belly. The face is white with a black gorget. It has rufous-streaked flanks and red legs. When disturbed, it prefers to run rather than fly, but if necessary it flies a short distance on rounded wings.

This is a seed-eating species, but the young in particular take insects as an essential protein supply. The call is a three-syllable ka-chu-chu.

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2020). "Alectoris rufa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T22678711A183481909. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22678711A183481909.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 41, 341. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.