chukar

The chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) is a medium-sized bird in the pheasant family (Phasianidae). It is native to southwestern Asia, from the Arabian Peninsula through the Middle East to the western Himalayas, and has been widely introduced elsewhere for hunting and population management. In many introduced ranges, it forms established wild populations.

The bird has a gray-brown back, pale underparts, and a distinctive white face with a black eye mask and a dark band across the throat. Its wings are patterned and its tail is relatively long. The call is a sharp, repeated chuk-chuk or chu-kar, which gives the species its name.

Chukars prefer rocky hillsides, cliffs, and scrub, but may occur on farmland edges and open country. They are ground-dwelling birds that form small coveys outside the breeding season and make short, fast flights to escape predators. They are known for their strong legs and running ability.

Their diet consists mainly of seeds, grasses, and leaves, with insects important for nestlings. They nest on the ground in a shallow scrape among rocks or vegetation. Clutch size typically ranges from five to twelve eggs, and incubation lasts about three weeks. Both parents may participate in care, and the chicks are precocial.

The species is native to Asia, but widespread introductions have established populations in Europe, North America, and other regions. The IUCN lists the chukar as Least Concern due to a large and stable population, though in some areas introduced populations can affect local ecosystems and they are pursued as game birds.