Perdix perdix - Grey Partridge
Feather characters. Barbules are rather long (2.2-2.7 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and partly pigmented (less than 50%) internodes. Both vase- and ring-shaped nodes are present. Nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (23-29 per mm). Ring shaped nodes are present on basal- and middle- section of basal barbules. Some nodes become detached and form groups. These multiple nodes may be hard to find. Towards distal part, nodes abruptly become vase shaped. Nodes gradually decrease in size towards distal end. Villi are absent and internodes are occasionally kinked. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum.
Field characters. Size 29-31 cm. Weight: male 398 g ( -454), female 381 g ( -434) (Dunning, 1993). Has a characteristic rotund body, round head, and short, rounded wings. Orange-brown head, vermiculated grey neck and underparts, and chestnut-red outer tail-feathers; crown, nape, and upperparts brown, barred with chestnut on back, rump, and flanks. Male has a broad, horseshoe-shaped, dark brown patch on pale belly, which is almost absent in adult female. Juvenile has streaked brown underparts and neck and lacks the orange-brown and chestnut pattern of the adult bird. Flies swiftly, usually low down, with series of rapid wing-beats alternated with glides on bowed wings.
Voice. Common call is a creaking and rasping "kar-wit, kar-wit" or "kirr-ic kirr-ic".
Distribution. Common resident. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Bird of open, agricultural country, downs, and stony heaths.
Food. Feeds mainly after dawn and before sunset. Diet consists of green leaves of grasses, cereals and clovers, grain and weed seeds.