Kuropatwy

Kuropatwy are partridges, a group of small to medium ground-dwelling birds in the family Phasianidae. In Polish usage the term mainly refers to the grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and related species in the genus Perdix, native to Europe and western Asia. The birds have mottled brown plumage that provides camouflage in fields and hedges; males and females are similar in appearance, with only subtle size or marking differences.

They inhabit open cultivated landscapes such as farmlands, grasslands and field margins. They are primarily ground feeders and form coveys outside the breeding season. They nest on the ground; during spring breeding, females lay clutches of roughly 6–12 eggs, with incubation lasting about 21–23 days. Chicks are precocial and forage for seeds, grains and insects soon after hatching.

Diet consists mainly of seeds and plant material, with insects important for chick development. Populations have declined in many regions due to habitat loss, pesticide use and agricultural intensification. Conservation measures in parts of Europe include habitat management—such as restoration of hedgerows, fallow fields and field margins—and regulated hunting.

As game birds, kuropatwy have cultural and economic significance in rural areas, featuring in hunting traditions and regional cuisine.