Daurian Partridge Perdix dauurica Scientific name definitions

c. 28–30 cm; 200–340 g. Beard of stiff feathers on sides of chin is distinctive in autumn and winter, a feature shared only with Coturnix japonica. Differs from very similar P. perdix (especially the pale race robusta, which shares some of same range as present species) in being darker grey (most races of perdix, however, are paler), with extensive chestnut markings and bold pale shaft-streaks on scapulars  (like W races of P. perdix), and larger (male) and blacker patch  on belly surrounde by ochre-buff (whitish in perdix); in many birds, this buff coloration extends over central breast  to join orange-buff of throat, restricting grey of breast to sides, but some have only pale buff wash over grey of central breast . Female more barred and vermiculated than male, with belly patch reduced or even absent, less extensive and duller buff on face, shows fine whitish spotting on breast-sides and neck, and scapulars and wing-coverts have smaller chestnut markings. Juvenile more coarsely marked above. Races similar: race suschkini is darker and more rufous than nominate, while race przewalski is sometimes considered to be indistinguishable from the previous race, but is reported to be paler and sandier. Reported to occasionally hybridize with P. perdix, e.g. around Almaty and Zaysan, in SE Kazakhstan (1 Wassink, A., and G. J. Oreel (2007). The Birds of Kazakhstan. Published privately, De Cocksdorp, Texel, The Netherlands. Close ).

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Introduced around Manila (N Philippines), but possibly extinct.

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Variety of open habitats from grassland and shrubby meadows to riverine scrub, wooded steppes and plantations, as well as (locally) on semi-arid rocky hills, although the species shuns true desert; up to 3400 m in Kazakhstan (1 Wassink, A., and G. J. Oreel (2007). The Birds of Kazakhstan. Published privately, De Cocksdorp, Texel, The Netherlands. Close ). Shows marked preference for bushy or lightly wooded habitats adjoining grassland.

Apparently mostly resident and sedentary, but some seasonal movements suspected in response to severe winter weather conditions, e.g. in Tien Shan, where the species is reported to move downslope into the plains at this season. There are also a few records outside the generally perceived range, usually in winter, e.g. in Tajikistan (C Asia), around Tomsk, the Baraba steppe (Aug), both in C Siberia, and around Khabarovsk and L Khanka, in Russian Far East (3 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Very little information available. Takes seeds of weeds, cereals and berries; also insects in summer. Occurs in comparatively large groups in autumn, which typically number 15–30 birds and which can increase to up to 200 in winter, at which season the species sometimes forms mixed coveys with P. perdix (3 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Poorly documented but similar to P. perdix. Harsh metallic creaking calls and an accelerating series of harsh rasping notes  , “rex..rex..rex…” (4 Brazil, M. (2009). Field Guide to the Birds of East Asia: Eastern China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Eastern Russia. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Nesting from late May in Jilin and Shanxi (NE & NC China); pairing begins by mid Mar in Altai region, where laying starts in early Apr. Nest is sited in or next to cover and lined with grass, leaves, roots and soft feathers. Total of 35 clutches contained 18–20 eggs (minimum 12); incubation c. 25 days, by female alone, although both sexes tend chicks. No further information.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Mace Lande: safe. Considered to be not in danger of extinction largely because of extensive range (etimated at 6,970,000 km²). In NE China considered common in Jilin, Hebei and Heilongjiang; in Jilin, numbers believed to be decreasing due to overhunting; average of 4·2 individuals were encountered along 3 km line transect in 1982 and 2·7 birds in 1990; little information from other parts of China, but hunters report decline in bags in Shanxi (NC China). In Transbaikalia, population size believed to have varied considerably over period of only a few years. Considered rare or scarce in C Asian portion of range (1 Wassink, A., and G. J. Oreel (2007). The Birds of Kazakhstan. Published privately, De Cocksdorp, Texel, The Netherlands. Close , 5 Ayé, R., M. Schweizer, and T. Roth (2012). Birds of Central Asia. Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Whilst population trends are unclear, species appears to be hunted throughout much of its range; monitoring of numbers shot in several areas throughout range would help to clarify status. No information concerning the species’ potential responses to agricultural change.