Taxonomy
Perdix perdix | Grey Partridge | Patraisc
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
This species is Red-listed
according to Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland 2020-2026 and is of high
conservation value as a result.
According to the last IUCN Red
List assessment in 2016, the Grey Partridge is classified as a species of
‘Least Concern’ on a global scale. The population trend was noted as decreasing
however.
Species Biology
Identification
Medium-sized game bird with a
characteristic orange face in relation to its greyish-brown body, short reddish
tail and marked upperwings.
It has a white belly and under
tail with a brown belly patch expressed on the male and a smaller or non-existent
belly patch on the female.
While it does have the ability to
fly, this species will almost always be spotted on the ground unless startled.
A typical Grey Partridge stands at
just 30 cm in length with a wingspan of 46 cm. They typically weigh approximately
390 grams.
Diet
This omnivorous game bird feeds
on a variety of food items from plant material such as grasses, cereals and
leaves to animal material such as insects (mainly the young).
Habitat
In Ireland Grey Partridge is now
associated with the margins of cut-away bogs in Co. Offaly.
Reproduction
This species lays a clutch of
13-16 eggs weighing approximately 14 grams each that will be incubated for a
period of 23-25 days.
The young will fledge after 14-16
days.
A typical wild individual will be
expected to live for approximately three years, reaching sexual maturity at one
year.
Threats faced
This species was once widespread
throughout the country but has since suffered significant declines. This is a
direct result of a decline in cereal growing in Ireland (Gilbert, Stanbury and Lewis, 2021).
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
It is thought that this species
almost became extinct in recent years with the national population plummeting
down to around 20 individuals.
Today, this ground nesting
species only exists in a handful of small populations in lowland farmland in
County Offaly.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
Further information
Irish Grey
Partridge Conservation Trust: www.greypartridge.ie
BirdWatch Ireland: https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds/grey-partridge/
The Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/grey-partridge/
British Trust
for Ornithology: https://app.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob3670.htm
References
Publications
Gilbert, G., Stanbury, A. and Lewis, L., 2021. Birds of Conservation
Concern in Ireland 4: 2020-2026. [online] Wicklow. Available at:
<https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds-of-conservation-concern-in-ireland/>
[Accessed 2 Jun. 2021].