Partridge - Definition and Overview

Partridges
Crested Wood-Partridge
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 food.

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
  • 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
  • Udzungwa Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis
• Genus Arborophila, the hill partidges
  • 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 rouloul
• Genus Ptilopachus
  • Stone Partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
• Genus Bambusicola
  • Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola fytchii
  • Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola thoracica

The partridge in culture

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