How to identify it
Rotund partridge with sandy-brown upperparts, gray breast and buff belly. [1][2]
Bold black band across the forehead and through the eye forming a necklace around a white or creamy throat. [1][2]
Flanks boldly barred black, white and chestnut. [1][2]
Coral-red bill, legs and eye-ring; short tail with chestnut outer feathers. [1][2]
Juveniles are duller and mottled, lacking the sharp head and flank pattern. [1][2]
Species it is confused with
Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.
- Gray partridge · Perdix perdix
Where it lives
Rocky, grassy or brushy slopes in arid mountains and canyons, often grassland mixed with sagebrush or saltbush; introduced cheatgrass is a key element; needs water unless green leaves are plentiful. [1][2]
How it behaves
Where it is listed for legal take
These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.
Where legal take is listed
- British Columbia — hunting · 2026-2028 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis
- Ontario — other regulated take · O. Reg. 665/98 Hunting (read via e-Laws .doc export)
- Québec — hunting · Périodes de chasse au petit gibier 2026-2028
- Alaska — hunting · 2026-2027 Alaska Hunting Regulations: Fur Animals, Small Game, Unclassified Game, and Deleterious Exotic Wildlife (pp.140-142)
- Arizona — hunting · 2026-2027 Arizona Hunting Regulations
- California — hunting · 2026-2027 California Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations
- Colorado — hunting · 2 CCR 406-3 Chapter W-3 Furbearers and Small Game, Except Migratory Birds (07/16/2026; eff. 2026-09-01)
- Connecticut — hunting · 2026 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide
- Hawaii — hunting · HAR Title 13 Chapter 122, Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting (unofficial copy, am. 05/09/15)
- Idaho — hunting · Upland Game, Turkey & Furbearer 2026 & 2027 Seasons & Rules
- Minnesota — hunting, nuisance or unprotected take · Minnesota Hunting & Trapping Regulations (effective July 2026 - June 30, 2027)
- Montana — hunting · 2026 Upland Game Bird Hunting Regulations
- Nebraska — hunting · Small Game & Waterfowl Guide 2025-2026
- Nevada — hunting · CR 26-13 2026-27 & 2027-28 Seasons, Bag Limits ... Upland Game Birds, Rabbits, Wild Turkey, Furbearers
- New Hampshire — hunting · Fis 300 Wildlife Seasons and Rules
- Ohio — hunting · Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27 (effective 1 Sep 2026-31 Aug 2027); PDF read from cached copy
- Oregon — hunting · 2026-27 Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations (official ODFW booklet)
- South Dakota — hunting · 2026 South Dakota Hunting and Trapping Handbook
- Utah — hunting · 2026-27 Waterfowl, Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook
- Vermont — hunting · 2026 Vermont Guide to Hunting & Trapping Laws (official lawbook, publisher-hosted)
- Washington — hunting · 2026 Washington Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Regulations (Jul 1 2026 - Jun 30 2027)
- Wisconsin — hunting, nuisance or unprotected take · 2026 Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Seasons PUB-CS-076-2026 (updated 06/08/2026)
- Wyoming — hunting · WGFC Ch. 11 Upland Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Seasons (dated Apr 22 2026)
Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.
Where it is found
Native to Eurasia. Introduced and resident in western North America from British Columbia, northern Idaho and central and eastern Montana south to Nevada, northern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico and south-central Colorado; also established in Hawaii.
Sources
Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.
- BIOLOGICALChukar | Audubon Field Guide
National Audubon Society · reviewed 2026-09-30
National Audubon Society
- BIOLOGICALAlectoris chukar (NatureServe Explorer)
NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30
NatureServe