Partridge

Partridges are birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are a non-migratory Old World group.

These are medium-sized birds, intermediate between the larger pheasants and the smaller quails. Partridges are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Partridges are ground-nesting seed-eaters.

According to Greek legend, the first partridge appeared when Daedalus threw his nephew, Perdix, off a roof in a fit of jealous rage.

Partridges famously appear as part of the first gift listed in the Christmas carol, "The 12 Days of Christmas". As such, "A partridge in a pear tree" is sung as the last line of each chorus.

Species list in taxonomic order

 * Genus Ptilopachus
 * Stone Partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
 * Nahan's Partridge, Ptilopachus nahani
 * Genus Lerwa
 * Snow Partridge, Lerwa lerwa
 * Genus Tetraophasis
 * Verreaux's Monal-Partridge, Tetraophasis obscurus
 * Szechenyi's Monal-Partridge, Tetraophasis szechenyii
 * Genus Alectoris
 * Arabian Partridge, Alectoris melanocephala
 * Przevalski's Partridge, Alectoris magna
 * Rock Partridge, Alectoris graeca
 * Chukar, Alectoris chukar
 * Philby's Partridge, *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
 * Rubeho Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix obscuratus
 * Udzungwa Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis
 * Genus Arborophila, the hill partridges
 * Hill Partridge, Arborophila torqueola
 * Sichuan Partridge, Arborophila rufipectus
 * Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Arborophila mandellii
 * White-necklaced Partridge, Arborophila gingica
 * Rufous-throated Partridge, Arborophila rufogularis
 * White-cheeked Partridge, Arborophila atrogularis
 * Taiwan Partridge, Arborophila crudigularis
 * Hainan Partridge, Arborophila ardens
 * Chestnut-bellied Partridge, Arborophila javanica
 * Grey-breasted Partridge, Arborophila orientalis
 * Bar-backed Partridge, Arborophila brunneopectus
 * Orange-necked Partridge, Arborophila davidi
 * Chestnut-headed Partridge, Arborophila cambodiana
 * Red-breasted Partridge, Arborophila hyperythra
 * Red-billed Partridge, Arborophila rubrirostris
 * Scaly-breasted Partridge, Arborophila chloropus
 * Chestnut-necklaced Partridge, Arborophila charltonii
 * Sumatran Partridge, Arborophila sumatrana
 * Vietnam Partridge, Arborophila merlini
 * Genus Caloperdix
 * Ferruginous Partridge, Caloperdix oculea
 * Genus Haematortyx
 * Crimson-headed Partridge, Haematortyx sanguiniceps
 * Genus Rollulus
 * Crested Partridge, Rollulus roulroul
 * Genus Ptilopachus
 * Stone Partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
 * Genus Bambusicola
 * Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola fytchii
 * Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola thoracica