11-3-2022 BONAIRE, VALENCIA - RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Alectoris rufa)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/867-Alectoris-rufa

23-2-2022 FONT ROCA ALCOY, ALICANTE - RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Alectoris rufa)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/867-Alectoris-rufa

4-10-2020 MONTAVERNER, VALENCIA - RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Alectoris rufa)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/867-Alectoris-rufa

14-6-2020 MONTAVERNER, VALENCIA - RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Alectoris rufa)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/867-Alectoris-rufa

11-11-2019 ALPERA, CASTILLE LA MANCHA - RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Alectoris rufa)

The red-legged partridge is a round, ground-dwelling bird native to Europe, known for its red legs and bill, white throat patch bordered by a black gorget, and streaked flanks. It is an omnivore that prefers to run to escape predators but can fly short, fast distances if necessary. They lay 10-16 eggs in ground nests, and the chicks are precocial, able to walk and fly soon after hatching. 

Appearance

Legs and beak: Bright red, with a red eye ring.

Plumage: Grayish back, grey breast, buff belly, and bold black and white stripes on its flanks.

Face: White with a black gorget.

Size: About 32–35 cm long with a wingspan of 47–50 cm and weighing 400–550 grams. 

Diet and behavior

Diet: Omnivorous, eating seeds, leaves, flowers, and insects.

Movement: Highly terrestrial, preferring to run rather than fly. When it flies, it's for a short distance with fast, flapping wings.

Social behavior: Gregarious in winter and territorial during the spring breeding season. 

Reproduction and habitat

Nesting: Nests are built on the ground.

Eggs: Females typically lay a single clutch of 10 to 16 eggs.

Chicks: They are precocial, meaning they are mobile and can walk within a day of hatching and fly within two weeks.

Habitat: Prefers agricultural land, vineyards, high plateaus, and Mediterranean scrubland, often with bushy cover. 

Other facts

Vocalization: Its call is a three-syllable sound, often described as "ka-chu-chu".

Conservation: Its status as a popular game bird has led to reintroduction efforts but also to threats from over-hunting and habitat loss from agricultural practices and urbanization. 

17-10-2017 ALPERA, ALICANTE - RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Alectoris rufa)

The red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa, is a plump gamebird belonging to the pheasant family, Phasianidae. It is colloquially known as the French partridge, setting it apart from the English or grey partridge. Exhibiting a light brown back, grey breast, and buff belly, this bird is easily recognized by its white face with a striking black gorget. The flanks are adorned with rufous streaks, and it stands on characteristically red legs. When startled, it may choose to run, but it can also take to the air with rounded wings for short distances.

Adults display a sandy-brown upper body, a pinkish-buff belly, and a pale grey breast. A black gorget with bold rufous and black flank bars, a cream throat, pink legs, and a red bill and eye ring are distinctive features. The eye is encircled by a bright red ring, adding to its striking appearance.

The red-legged partridge favors dry lowlands for breeding, such as farmland and open stony areas. It nests on the ground and can be found cohabiting with wild rabbits.

Originally from southwestern Europe, including France, Iberia, and northwest Italy, the red-legged partridge has been introduced and naturalized in parts of England and Wales. It forms flocks outside the breeding season and is a non-migratory terrestrial species.

This bird is known for its preference to run rather than fly when disturbed. However, it is capable of short flights if necessary. It is a sociable species, forming flocks when not breeding.

11-3-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Alectoris rufa)

The red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa, is a plump gamebird belonging to the pheasant family, Phasianidae. It is colloquially known as the French partridge, setting it apart from the English or grey partridge. Exhibiting a light brown back, grey breast, and buff belly, this bird is easily recognized by its white face with a striking black gorget. The flanks are adorned with rufous streaks, and it stands on characteristically red legs. When startled, it may choose to run, but it can also take to the air with rounded wings for short distances.

Adults display a sandy-brown upper body, a pinkish-buff belly, and a pale grey breast. A black gorget with bold rufous and black flank bars, a cream throat, pink legs, and a red bill and eye ring are distinctive features. The eye is encircled by a bright red ring, adding to its striking appearance.

The red-legged partridge favors dry lowlands for breeding, such as farmland and open stony areas. It nests on the ground and can be found cohabiting with wild rabbits.

Originally from southwestern Europe, including France, Iberia, and northwest Italy, the red-legged partridge has been introduced and naturalized in parts of England and Wales. It forms flocks outside the breeding season and is a non-migratory terrestrial species.

This bird is known for its preference to run rather than fly when disturbed. However, it is capable of short flights if necessary. It is a sociable species, forming flocks when not breeding.

The red-legged partridge vocalizes with a distinctive three-syllable call, which can be phonetically described as "ka-chu-chu."

The species is known to breed in dry lowland areas, laying eggs in a ground nest. It has the remarkable ability to breed two clutches simultaneously.

The rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) is very similar in appearance and occupies southeastern Europe, replacing the red-legged partridge there.

Primarily seed-eating, the red-legged partridge's diet also includes insects, which are particularly important for the protein needs of the young.

The red-legged partridge is currently classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, with concerns about its decline across its range due to habitat loss and overhunting.

30-1-2017 QUATRETONDA, VALENCIA - RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Alectoris rufa)

The red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa, is a plump gamebird belonging to the pheasant family, Phasianidae. It is colloquially known as the French partridge, setting it apart from the English or grey partridge. Exhibiting a light brown back, grey breast, and buff belly, this bird is easily recognized by its white face with a striking black gorget. The flanks are adorned with rufous streaks, and it stands on characteristically red legs. When startled, it may choose to run, but it can also take to the air with rounded wings for short distances.

Adults display a sandy-brown upper body, a pinkish-buff belly, and a pale grey breast. A black gorget with bold rufous and black flank bars, a cream throat, pink legs, and a red bill and eye ring are distinctive features. The eye is encircled by a bright red ring, adding to its striking appearance.

The red-legged partridge favors dry lowlands for breeding, such as farmland and open stony areas. It nests on the ground and can be found cohabiting with wild rabbits.

Originally from southwestern Europe, including France, Iberia, and northwest Italy, the red-legged partridge has been introduced and naturalized in parts of England and Wales. It forms flocks outside the breeding season and is a non-migratory terrestrial species.

This bird is known for its preference to run rather than fly when disturbed. However, it is capable of short flights if necessary. It is a sociable species, forming flocks when not breeding.

The red-legged partridge vocalizes with a distinctive three-syllable call, which can be phonetically described as "ka-chu-chu."

The species is known to breed in dry lowland areas, laying eggs in a ground nest. It has the remarkable ability to breed two clutches simultaneously.

The rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) is very similar in appearance and occupies southeastern Europe, replacing the red-legged partridge there.

Primarily seed-eating, the red-legged partridge's diet also includes insects, which are particularly important for the protein needs of the young.

The red-legged partridge is currently classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, with concerns about its decline across its range due to habitat loss and overhunting.