Alectoris
chukar
(Chukar)
Physical
Description:
13-15 1/2" (33-39 cm).
Gray above, on breast, and on rump; lighter below; breast and wings tinted with
rufous
. Blackish brown eye stripe
that curves around a whitish face to connect to a blackish chin stripe. Dark
reddish, vertical stripes on flanks. Dark orange bill and
eye ring; lighter orange legs.
Similar Species- Northern Bobwhite, Gray Partridge
Song:
Repeats its name in a series
of chucks: chuck-chucka-chuck-chucka-chuck.
Distribution:
Native to Eurasia. Introduced
and resident in North America from south-central British Columbia, northern
Idaho, and central and eastern Montana, south to northern Baja California, southern
Nevada, northern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and south-central Colorado.
Habitat:
Found on rocky hillsides, mountain slopes
with grassy vegetation, open and flat deserts with sparse grasses, and barren
plateaus.
Diet:
Feeds primarily on seeds and leaves. Also
eats some fruits and insects.
Ecology:
Builds concealed nest on ground, or in
rocks or bush. Most foraging activity occurs in mid-morning, but may continue
into afternoon. Frequently inactive and near water at mid-day in hot weather.
In favorable habitat, population density can reach levels of 1
bird/4 hectares. In late summer, family groups may join and form larger groups.
Males reportedly may leave female during incubation and spend summer with other
males. Idaho study found greatest dispersion in spring; in summer birds restricted
themselves to tree-shrub vegetation adjacent to water. A habitat-use study in
north-central Idaho was initiated in 1994 by the Idaho Dept. Fish & Game.
size varies from 8-15
eggs. Incubation lasts 22-23 days (some authorities state male may incubate first clutch while female lays second).
Nestlings are precocial. Young are almost full-size
at 84 days.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABNLC03010 |
| Status: | Game species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | SE |
| National Rank: | NE |
Important
State References:
Oelklaus, W.F. III. 1976. Chukar partridge
dispersion along the middle and lower Snake and Columbia Rivers. M.S. Thesis,
Univ. Idaho, Moscow. 56pp.