#gray partridge

Field chickens

Photo: Konstantin Danilov

"Because of its popularity as a gamebird in Europe, the Gray Partridge was brought to North America as early as the 1790s, although it was not really established here until later. It has been most successful on the northern prairies, where it often does very well in farm country. Gray Partridges live in flocks, or coveys, at most times of year. Even where they are common, they often go unseen as they forage in the tall grass."

Gray Partridge

Iowa county, WI

19 February 2021

A Phasianid Feathursday

Turkey season is almost upon us, and mmm-mm, can’t you just smell the aroma of that roasted bird! But what about the other Phasianid game birds? They’re pretty tasty too, perhaps even more so. And these yummy fellows can be found right here in southeastern Wisconsin. They are, from the top, going counterclockwise: Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), and Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix). Need a recipe? Try these for the Pheasant, Bobwhite, and Partridge.

Once again, this fabulous Phasianid #Feathursday feast is brought to you by our own Wisconsin ornithologist, conservationist, and nature artist Owen J Gromme from his outstanding 1963 book Birds of Wisconsin published for the Milwaukee Public Museum, where Gromme was curator of birds and mammals, by the University of Wisconsin Press.

View more posts on Owen Gromme’s work.