# Grey Partridge (*Perdix perdix*)

> The grey partridge (Perdix perdix) is a rotund farmland gamebird of Europe and western Asia, introduced to North America. Adults weigh about 0.4 kg, raise large broods in cereal fields, and are listed Least Concern.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Farmland of Europe and western Asia; introduced in North America.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/grey-partridge/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Galliformes
- **Family:** Phasianidae
- **Genus:** Perdix

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Perdix perdix |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Habitat | Farmland and grassland |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Weight | 0.35–0.45 kg |
| Top speed | up to 45 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Farmland covey bird

Grey partridges form coveys in winter and pair in spring. Mottled grey-brown plumage hides birds in stubble; chestnut face patches and horseshoe belly marks aid identification.

## Seeds, insects, and chicks

Adults eat seeds and green shoots; chicks need insects for protein. Large broods of 10–20 chicks were once common when insect-rich field margins persisted.

## European fields and hedgerows

Native across Europe into western Asia; introduced to the northern US plains and Canada. Needs mixed farming with weeds, insects, and cover strips.

## Intensive farming declines

Least Concern globally but numbers crashed in western Europe as pesticides and monocultures removed chick food. Agri-environment schemes aim to restore margins.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a partridge covey?

A family or winter flock — usually a dozen or fewer birds that roost and forage together.

### Why did grey partridge numbers fall in the UK?

Herbicides and insect loss on intensive arable farms starved chicks that depend on insects.

### Are grey partridges native to North America?

No — they were introduced from Europe for hunting on the northern Great Plains.

### How many eggs do grey partridges lay?

Often 15–20 in a ground nest hidden in field margins or hedgerows.

### What is the horseshoe mark on a grey partridge?

A dark belly patch shaped like a horseshoe — a key field mark on adults.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/grey-partridge/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.