Partridge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Partridge (disambiguation).

iPartridges

Crested Wood Partridge. The male has the red crest

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Phasianidae†

Genera

Perdix
Alectoris
Lerwa
Bambusicola
Ptilopachus
Rollulus
Haematortyx
Caloperdix
Arborophila
Xenoperdix
Melanoperdix

†See also Pheasant, Quail, Grouse

Partridges are birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are a non-migratory Old World group.

These are medium-sized birds intermediate between the large pheasants and the small quails. The partridges are ground-nesting seed-eaters. Many species are hunted for sport or game.

[edit] Species list

Genus Lerwa
- Snow Partridge, Lerwa lerwa
Genus Alectoris
- Arabian Partridge, Alectoris melanocephala
- Przevalski's Partridge, Alectoris magna
- Rock Partridge, Alectoris graeca
- Chukar, Alectoris chukar (National bird of Pakistan)
- Philby's Partridge, Alectoris philbyi
- Barbary Partridge, Alectoris barbara
- Red-legged Partridge, Alectoris rufa
Genus Ammoperdix
- See-see Partridge, Ammoperdix griseogularis
- Sand Partridge, Ammoperdix heyi
Genus Perdix
- Grey Partridge, Perdix perdix
- Daurian Partridge, Perdix dauurica
- Tibetan Partridge, Perdix hodgsoniae
Genus Rhizothera
- Long-billed Partridge, Rhizothera longirostris
Genus Margaroperdix
- Madagascar Partridge, Margaroperdix madagascarensis
Genus Melanoperdix
- Black Wood-partridge, Melanoperdix nigra
Genus Xenoperdix
- Rubeho Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix obscuratus
- Udzungwa Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis
Genus Arborophila, the hill partridges
- Common Hill Partridge, Arborophila torqueola
- Sichuan Hill Partridge, Arborophila rufipectus
- Chestnut-breasted Hill Partridge, Arborophila mandellii
- Collared Hill Partridge, Arborophila gingica
- Rufous-throated Hill Partridge, Arborophila rufogularis
- White-cheeked Hill Partridge, Arborophila atrogularis
- Taiwan Hill Partridge, Arborophila crudigularis
- Hainan Hill Partridge, Arborophila ardens
- Chestnut-bellied Partridge, Arborophila javanica
- Grey-breasted Hill Partridge, Arborophila orientalis
- Brown-breasted Hill Partridge, Arborophila brunneopectus
- Orange-necked Hill Partridge, Arborophila davidi
- Chestnut-headed Hill Partridge, Arborophila cambodiana
- Bornean Hill Partridge, Arborophila hyperythra
- Red-billed Hill Partridge, Arborophila rubrirostris
- Green-legged Hill Partridge, Arborophila chloropus
- Annam Hill Partridge, Arborophila merlini
- Chestnut-necklaced Hill Partridge, Arborophila charltonii
Genus Caloperdix
- Ferruginous Wood Partridge, Caloperdix oculea
Genus Haematortyx
- Crimson-headed Partridge, Haematortyx sanguiniceps
Genus Rollulus
- Crested Wood Partridge, Rollulus roulroul
Genus Ptilopachus
- Stone Partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
Genus Bambusicola
- Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola fytchii
- Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola thoracica

[edit] The partridge in culture

The partridge is also the subject of a popular English Christmas song, the Twelve Days of Christmas.

The Sanskrit term Kapinjala, rendered as "francoline partridge" or "heathcock" by translators, appears as a mythical bird in the Rigveda (RV 2.42, 43) and is identified as an aspect of Indra.