Photo: Richard Bartz, Munich aka Makro Freak / CC BY-SA 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)
Rock Partridge
Alectoris graeca
Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) — Gamebirds of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 594 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Alectoris
- Species graeca
Where it lives
Montane central, southeastern Europe: far southeastern France, Switzerland and southwestern Austria through Italy and Sicily, Balkans and Greece east to east-central Bulgaria
Quick facts
- Weight
- 594 g
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Rock Partridge feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Rock Partridge is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL montane c, se Europe: far se France, Switzerland and sw Austria through Italy and Sicily, Balkans and Greece e to ec Bulgaria.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 594 g, with a wing length of about 15.6 cm and a tail of around 8.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 538,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Rock Partridge?
The Rock Partridge is a large bird that weighs around 594 g.
Where does the Rock Partridge live?
The Rock Partridge is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL montane c, se Europe: far se France, Switzerland and sw Austria through Italy and Sicily, Balkans and Greece e to ec Bulgaria, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Rock Partridge belong to?
The Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Rock Partridge eat?
The Rock Partridge feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Rock Partridge migrate?
The Rock Partridge is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Rock Partridge endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
What sound does the Rock Partridge make?
1 real field recording of the Rock Partridge — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Rock Partridge's range?
The Rock Partridge has a mapped global range of about 538,000 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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