Photo: John Gould, H.C. Richter & Joseph Wolf / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Snow Partridge
Lerwa lerwa
Snow Partridge (Lerwa lerwa) — Gamebirds of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Snow Partridge (Lerwa lerwa) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 567 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Lerwa
- Species lerwa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 567 g
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Snow Partridge feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Snow Partridge is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Snow Partridge (Lerwa lerwa) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL Himalayas to c China.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 567 g, with a wing length of about 18.7 cm and a tail of around 9.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 832,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Snow Partridge?
The Snow Partridge is a large bird that weighs around 567 g.
Where does the Snow Partridge live?
The Snow Partridge is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL Himalayas to c China, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Snow Partridge belong to?
The Snow Partridge (Lerwa lerwa) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Snow Partridge eat?
The Snow Partridge feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Snow Partridge migrate?
The Snow Partridge is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Snow Partridge endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Snow Partridge make?
1 real field recording of the Snow Partridge — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Snow Partridge's range?
The Snow Partridge has a mapped global range of about 832,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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