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The Chukar, Alectoris chukar is a Eurasian upland gamebird in the
pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. Other
common names of this bird include 'Chukker' (sometimes misspelled as 'Chuker'),
'Chukar Partridge', 'Red-legged Partridge', 'Rock Partridge', 'Indian Hill
Partridge', 'Chukka', 'Chukkar', 'Chukor', 'Chukore', 'Chikone', 'Kabk', 'Kau-Kau',
and 'Keklik'.
This partridge has been introduced widely for game hunters, and became
established in the United States Rocky Mountains, Canada, New Zealand and
Hawaii. In Great Britain, hybrids between this species and the also introduced
Red-legged Partridge are common.
Chukar prefer rocky, steep, and open hillsides. In the United States, Oregon,
Nevada and Idaho lead all other states in terms of wild chukar populations and
harvest. However, they can be found in almost all the western states in isolated
populations.
The Chukar is a resident breeder in dry, open, and often hilly country. In the
wild, Chukar travel in groups of 5 to 40 birds called coveys. It nests in a
scantily lined ground scrape laying 8 to 20 eggs. Chukars will take a wide
variety of seeds and some insects as food; however, Downy Brome (Cheatgrass) is
this species' strong food preference. When in captivity, they will lay one egg
per day throughout the breeding season if the eggs are collected daily.
Many knowledgeable hunters consider Chukar the most challenging of all the
gamebirds. Its quick flight, steep habitat, and tendency to run make it a
challenge suitable for only the most dedicated and physically fit bird hunters.
The Chukar is a rotund 32-35 cm long bird, with a light brown back, grey breast,
and buff belly. The face is white with a black gorget. It has rufous-streaked
flanks and red legs. When disturbed, it prefers to run rather than fly, but if
necessary it flies a short distance on rounded wings.
It is very similar to Rock Partridge, Alectoris graeca, but is browner on the
back and has a yellowish tinge to the foreneck. The sharply defined gorget
distinguishes this species from Red-legged Partridge. The song is a noisy
chuck-chuck-chukar-chukar.
From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
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