The gray partridge, also known as the Hungarian partridge, is a small chicken-like bird. It is 11.8-13.0 in (30-33 cm) in length with a wingspan of 20.9-22.1 inches (53-56 cm). It weighs 13.6-17.6 oz (385-500 g).
It has a gray neck and chest and a rusty-red head. Its wing and tail feathers are brown, rust, white, and gray. It has short, round wings and a small bill.
The male often has a dark brown U-shaped patch on its stomach. The female may have a smaller patch or no patch at all.
The gray partridge lives in open areas, farmland, grasslands, and brush.
Most of the gray partridge’s diet is made up of grains. It also occasionally eats insects.
The female gray partridge lays 8-10 eggs in a shallow depression lined with grass. The eggs take a little over three weeks to incubate. The chicks begin to fly when they are about two weeks old.
The gray partridge has a lifespan of 1-3 years in the wild.
Gray partridges are non-territorial during the non-breeding season and live in large groups or coveys.
Males can be aggressive towards each other during mating season. Males and females pair up in the spring for mating.
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The gray partridge is a non-native species in North America. It is originally from Europe and Asia.
It was introduced to North America as a game bird and is now found in the north-central United States and south-central Canada.
It is also found in Europe and western Asia.
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