Galliformes / Phasianidae / Perdix
Daurian Partridge
Perdix dauurica · 斑翅山鹑
Introduction
A gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. It is a non-migratory terrestrial species found across temperate East Asia, inhabiting open grassland, steppe, and farmland. Distinctive traits include long feathers under the beak forming a 'beard' and an explosive flight style when disturbed.
Description
Rotund bird measuring roughly 28–30 cm (11–12 in) long. In fall, males weigh about 200–340 grams (7.1–12.0 oz) and females 290–330 grams (10–12 oz). Both sexes have a sandy-orange face and long feathers under the beak forming a 'beard'. The rest of the head and underparts are pale slate-grey with a buff line on the chest and a black belly patch. Females have a smaller belly patch and are slightly duller than males. Subspecies differ mainly in plumage becoming darker and more rufous further east.
Identification
Key marks include the sandy-orange face, beard-like feathers under the beak, and black belly patch. Song is a shrill, grating kieerr-ik!, sounding like a higher-pitched, sped-up version of the grey partridge's call. When disturbed, it springs upward with whirring wings in a rapid, explosive manner while sounding an alarmed staccato hek-hek-hek!.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds on open grassland or steppe, including farmland, across much of temperate East Asia from Kyrgyzstan eastward to China and Mongolia. Inhabits open country, ideally with some adjacent bushes or open woodland. Overlaps with the grey partridge in parts of its range. Two recognized subspecies: P. d. dauurica and P. d. suschkini.
Behavior & Ecology
Forages and moves most actively during morning and evening hours, resting at mid-day depending on weather. Seed-eating species, though chicks consume insects as an essential protein supply. Females usually lay around the second to third week of May. The nest is lined with grasses and twigs on the ground under a bush or in tall grass, with a typical clutch size of 13–20 olive-brown eggs. Chicks are pale yellow-brown dappled with shades of dark brown and rufous and can fly short distances around 2 weeks of age. Forms flocks outside the breeding season in autumn and winter.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Perdix
Subspecies (2)
-
Perdix dauurica dauurica
steppes of Mongolia and northern China (Xinjiang)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
