Perdix is a genus of Galliformes gamebirds known collectively as the 'true '. These birds are unrelated to the subtropical species that have been named after the partridge due to similar size and morphology.
Taxonomy
The
genus Perdix was introduced by the French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760 with the
grey partridge (
Perdix perdix) as the
type species.
The genus name is
Latin for "partridge", which is itself derived from
Ancient Greek ‘πέρδιξ’ (pérdīx).
They are closely related to
grouse,
koklass,
quail and
pheasants.
This genus contains three extant species:
|
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| Europe and central Asia; Introduced to Canada, United States, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand |
| East Asia from Kyrgyzstan and extending eastward to China and Mongolia |
| Tibet, Northern Pakistan via Kashmir into northwestern Indian, northern parts of Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan, and western China. |
|
Some prehistoric species have been identified:
-
Perdix margaritae Kurochkin, 1985
-
Perdix palaeoperdix Mourer-Chauviré, 1975
A prehistoric species only known from was described as Perdix palaeoperdix. Occurring all over southern Europe during the Early–Late Pleistocene, it was a favorite food of the and . The relationships between the prehistoric species and the grey partridge are somewhat obscure; while very similar, they might be better understood as sister species rather than the grey partridge evolution from the Pleistocene taxon.
Description
These are medium-sized partridges with dull-coloured bills and legs, streaked brown upperparts, and tails with barring on the flanks. Neither sex has spurs on the legs, and the only plumage distinction is that females tend to be duller in appearance. Grey and Daurian partridges are very closely related and similar in appearance, and form a superspecies. Tibetan partridge has a striking black and white face pattern, black breast barring and 16 tail feathers instead of the 18 of the other species.
Distribution
There are representatives of
Perdix in most of temperate
Europe and
Asia. One member of the genus, the
grey partridge, has been introduced to the
United States and
Canada for the purpose of hunting. These are
bird migration of the
and similar open country, though nowadays they are more associated with agricultural land. The nest is a lined ground scrape in or near cover. They feed on a wide variety of seeds and some
insect food.
Cultural references
The bird shares its name with the nephew of
Daedalus of
Greek mythology, who was transformed into the bird when his uncle murdered him in jealousy. He was killed when thrown headlong down from the sacred hill of
Athena, so, mindful of his fall, the bird does not build its nest in the trees, nor take lofty flights and avoids high places.
Status
None of the species is threatened on a global scale, but the two more widespread partridges are over-hunted in parts of their range. The grey partridge has been badly affected by agricultural changes, and its range has contracted considerably. The Tibetan partridge seems secure in its extensive and often inaccessible range on the
Tibetan plateau.
Further reading
-
Madge, Steve; McGowan, Philip J. K. & Kirwan, Guy M. (2002): Pheasants, partridges and grouse : a guide to the pheasants, partridges, quails, grouse, guineafowl, buttonquails and sandgrouse of the world. Christopher Helm, London.
