Grey Partridge Perdix Research Articles

New data on the status and ecology of a galliform at risk of extinction: the Pyrenean grey partridge (Perdix perdix hispaniensis) in the Iberian System (Soria, Spain)

A study was conducted in 2008–2010 to gain knowledge on the status and ecology of the endangered subspecies of grey partridge (Perdix perdix hispaniensis), at its southernmost range edge. From an historic breeding range of 28,300 ha, 15 different coveys (adults with juveniles) were observed in an area comprising 5,550 ha, with an estimated minimum autumn population size of 103–113 birds and a maximum of 163–181 birds. Spring pair density was estimated at 2.3 pairs/1,000 ha, and when considering only coveys, 6.8 partridges/1,000 ha. The majority of birds were located at an altitude above 1,690 m a.s.l., mainly in mountain shrubland (especially Calluna vulgaris and Erica spp.). Habitat loss was the most important threat for the species’ conservation. In conclusion, efforts should prioritize urgent habitat recovery and monitoring in order to change the fate of the species.

New data on the status and ecology of a galliform at risk of extinction: the Pyrenean grey partridge (Perdix perdix hispaniensis) in the Iberian System (Soria, Spain)

A study was conducted in 2008–2010 to gain knowledge on the status and ecology of the endangered subspecies of grey partridge (Perdix perdix hispaniensis), at its southernmost range edge. From an historic breeding range of 28,300 ha, 15 different coveys (adults with juveniles) were observed in an area comprising 5,550 ha, with an estimated minimum autumn population size of 103–113 birds and a maximum of 163–181 birds. Spring pair density was estimated at 2.3 pairs/1,000 ha, and when considering only coveys, 6.8 partridges/1,000 ha. The majority of birds were located at an altitude above 1,690 m a.s.l., mainly in mountain shrubland (especially Calluna vulgaris and Erica spp.). Habitat loss was the most important threat for the species’ conservation. In conclusion, efforts should prioritize urgent habitat recovery and monitoring in order to change the fate of the species.

Former and present habitats of Grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.) and Rock partridge (Alectoris Graeca Meisner) in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The main problem in small game management today is habitat loss. Agricultural development and modern techniques in crop farming have a high impact on small game populations. To present this impact in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we analyzed and determined former and present habitats of two traditionally important gamebird species: Grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.), and Rock partridge (Alectoris Graeca Meisner)

Research Into Practice: Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) Restoration in Southern England

The gray partridgePerdix perdixwas once a common breeding bird in Britain and a traditional quarry species. Its numbers have declined by over 90% over the last 50 years, and there have been similar declines across Europe. Since 1968 the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has undertaken research on this decline and identified three main reasons for it in Britain: disappearance of nesting habitat, reduction in area of brood-rearing habitat and increased pressure from predators. A nature-sparing mindset is not compatible with the conservation of a once-widespread species of farmed land such as the gray partridge, which requires a nature-sharing viewpoint. A gray partridge recovery program had to be tailored toward farmers and their advisors, requiring scientifically proven, costed, pragmatic and simple solutions. The difficulty is in convincing farmers and land managers to take up the challenge, adopt the conservation package and reverse the decline of this species. An important means of addressing this is providing demonstration sites where farmers can go to see how appropriate and practical management leads to successful restoration of gray partridge numbers. We provide two detailed examples of demonstrations in the United Kingdom, concentrating on gray partridge abundance and demography, but also considering the consequences for wider farmland biodiversity. At both demonstration sites the abundance of gray partridges was restored to abundances approaching those of 50 years ago (an average, over 10 years, of 11.3 spring pairs/km2on one site and 13.2 pairs/km2on the other). Obstacles to a more widespread adoption of the package among United Kingdom farmers are discussed as are signposts on how these are being addressed, both in United Kingdom and in Europe.

Expert judgment based multicriteria decision models to assess the risk of pesticides on reproduction failures of grey partridge

A suite of models is proposed for estimating the risk of pesticides against the grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and their clutches. Radio-tracked data of females, description and location of the clutches, and data on the pesticide treatments during the laying periods of the partridges were used as basic information. Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) and quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) modelling allowed us to characterize the pesticides by their 1-octanol/water partition coefficient (log P), vapour pressure, primary and ultimate biodegradation potential, acute toxicity (LD50) on P. perdix, and endocrine disruption potential. From these physicochemical and toxicological data, the system of integration of risk with interaction of scores (SIRIS) method was used to design scores of risk for pesticides, alone or in mixture. A program, written in R (version 3.1.1), called Simulation of Toxicity in Perdix perdix (SimToxPP), was designed for estimating the risk of substances, considered alone or in mixture, against the grey partridge during breeding. The software tool is flexible enough to simulate realistic in situ scenarios. Different examples of applications are shown. The advantages and limitations of the approach are briefly discussed.

Genetic connectivity of the grey partridge in central northern France in a highly man dominated landscape

The loss and fragmentation of the landscape are the main causes of the decline and the extinction of many wildlife species. In this study we test the impact of landscape features on the genetic connectivity of a sedentary bird. Populations of our case study, the grey partridge (Perdix perdix armoricana), occur in central northern France. This is considered as the last bastion of high grey partridge densities in Europe and thus represents a relevant zone for the conservation of P. p. armoricana. Despite a highly man dominated landscape, results from the analysis of 12 microsatellite genotypes suggest the beginning of a genetic structure. This emerging genetic structure can result from the last historical event having occurred in the study area: a massive urbanization since the nineteenth century following the increase of the human density and town surface. Another hypothesis suggests that the weak genetic structure can result from a massive restocking with captive-bred individuals at a more or less recent point in time.

Intestinal nematodes of shot wild grey partridges in Norfolk, England

GREY partridges ( Perdix perdix ) were once the most common gamebird in England (Tapper 1992), but declined by 88 per cent from 1967 to 2006 (Baillie and others 2009) owing to changing agricultural practices (Potts 1986, Aebischer and Ewald 2004). In the last 10 years, some farms have undertaken determined efforts to reverse the decline and have achieved significant population increases (Draycott 2012, Aebischer and Ewald 2010). These increases have been achieved through a combination of habitat improvements, wildlife friendly farming and game management techniques including predation control and supplementary feeding (Aebischer and Ewald 2004). Gamebirds are prone to parasitic infection with intestinal nematodes, especially when they are managed at high densities (Hudson 1992, Portal and Collinge 1932, Draycott and others 2000). During the 1930′s, the parasite Trichostrongylus tenuis caused high mortality and reduced breeding success in partridges (Portal and Collinge 1932). However, Potts (2009) showed that from 1950's T tenuis was no longer important. Heterakis gallinarum , a caecal nematode, is common in gamebirds, especially pheasants …

Growth and development of chicks of two species of partridge: the grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and the chukar (Alectoris chukar)

1. In two partridge species, the grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and chukar (Alectoris chukar), from hatching up to 120 d, the growth rate and development of body mass, wing, tarsus, and bill length were measured and fitted by Gompertz equations. 2. As a typical precocial species, partridges hatched with relatively well developed legs and bills, and wing growth followed a gradual development of thermoregulation. 3. Gompertz growth constants for body mass growth were 0·039 and 0·038 for grey partridges and chukars, respectively. 4. The allometric relationship between tarsus length and body mass followed a geometric similarity (1/3 power) in both grey partridges and chukars.

Values of Selected Biochemical and Mineral Metabolism Indicators in Feathered Game

The present paper extends the current knowledge of biochemical and mineral profiles in selected species of feathered game such as helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris), common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), chukar (Alectoris chucar), grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reared in the Czech Republic and throughout Europe. The work evaluates potential interspecies differences among the values and compares the findings with the results reported for related domesticated species of birds. Indicators investigated in the individual species of feathered game such as total protein (TP), glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (CHOL), triacylglycerides (TAG), uric acid (UA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Cl varied in ranges typical for layers and broiler chickens. Except for wild turkey where mineral metabolism values reached or even exceeded the upper limit of the physiological range, which may indicate a specific interspecies difference. However, with regard to the wide physiological range of biochemical indicators in the blood of birds, significant (P ⪬ 0.05) and highly significant (P ⪬ 0.01) differences in most mean values for the monitored indicators can not be evaluated as interspecies differences.

Values of Selected Haematological Indicators in Six Species of Feathered Game

The present paper extends the knowledge of selected blood indicators in six species of feathered game such as helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris), common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), chukar (Alectoris chucar), grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), reared in the Czech Republic and Europe. The red blood cell (RBC) values in individual species of feathered game ranged as follows: the mean RBC counts varied in a range of 2.10 - 2.58 T/l; haematocrit values were in a range of 0.33 - 0.39 1/1; haemoglobin concentration varied in a range of 101.20 - 129.13 g/l; mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) ranged from 28.63 to 35.44%; mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) varied in a range of 46.15 - 62.07 pg and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was 147.66 - 178.20 fl. Except for the total concentration of haemoglobin and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, no significant differences were found between the mean values of RBC values in individual species of feathered game. However, some differences between species were found in white blood cell (WBC) values, ranging as follows: the total WBC count ranged from 13.55 to 26.90 G/l, basophil granulocytes from 0.011 to 0.110 G/l, eosinophil granulocytes from 0.011 to 0.593 G/l, neutrophil granulocytes from 1.868 to 6.661 G/l, lymphocytes from 10.937 to 20.922 G/l and monocytes from 0.034 to 0.199 G/l. Most values showed significant (P ⪬ 0.05) to highly significant (P ⪬ 0.01) interspecies differences. The main goal of the study was to investigate selected haematological indicators in six major species of feathered game.

An ethological perspective on defecation as an integral part of anti-predatory behaviour in the grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.) at night

Night-time flight behaviour of the grey partridge (Perdix perdix) was studied in three agricultural landscapes in Germany during the winter of 2005/2006. Thermography was used to detect roosting coveys and record flight behaviour. The main focus of the study was an analysis of defecation behaviour during the escape flight. A total of 640 partridges in 102 coveys were detected and approached during 85 scanning hours. Flight initiation distance averaged 22.8 m. In at least 75% of the coveys, defecation occurred upon being flushed. A covey of 15 partridges can produce 60 droppings that appear as a shower on the thermal record distributed over an estimated area of 200 m². It can be hypothesised that defecation in the context of escape behaviour has various selective advantages in addition to the reduction of body weight. Predators may be irritated or deterred by the excretion of faeces of the partridges taking off. As defecation also appears in flushed partridges not in an immediate life-threatening situation, this behaviour seems to be uncoupled from the parasympathetic reaction of fear. Permanent predator pressure may have selected for a strategic integration of defecation in the escape behaviour of partridges at night.

Monitoring Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) Populations in Poland: Methods and Results

The grey partridge ( Perdix perdix ) population in Poland is monitored by the Polish Hunting Association. Apart from information on hunting bag in the whole country (1981-2002), also demographic data are collected every year in selected areas (50-150 km²) located in various regions of Poland (three such areas in 1987-1990, 12 in 1991-1997, and 19-41 in 1998-2003). In the monitoring areas, spring partridge density (call counts in March/April), reproductive success (counts of adult and young birds in August) and annual survival rate of adult birds were estimated. The annual partridge hunting bag in Poland varied from 24,000 to 293,000 individuals between 1981 and 1992, and decreased to 20-22,000 birds in the years 2000-2002. In the 1990s, the average spring density of grey partridge in Poland showed a 3-fold decrease. In the early 2000s, 0.5 to 10.5 pairs per km2 were recorded in individual areas. The reproductive success of partridges (annual values ranging between 1.2 and 3.4 young per adult) decreased through the years 1987 to 2002. The annual survival rate of adult birds (annual values ranging between 25 and 38%) did not show any significant trends during the monitoring period. The decrease of reproductive success and consequently the observed population decline probably resulted mainly from increased abundance of nest and hen predators, particularly red foxes.

Examining the spatial relationship between pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) release pens and grey partridge (Perdix perdix) population parameters

As UK grey partridge (Perdix perdix) numbers declined over the last half century, shooting estates changed the emphasis of game management, from wild grey partridges to reared released pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). A recent theory suggested that parasites carried by reared released pheasants may be partially responsible for the decline in the numbers of grey partridges. We used long-running monitoring data from two sites in lowland England to look for relationships between proximity to pheasant release pens and grey partridge population parameters 1. At one study area, 20 km2 for 18 years proximity to release pens was associated with young-to-old ratio. However, the effect of proximity to release pens was probably an effect of habitat composition, as partridge-friendly habitats such as beetle banks and cereal crops were found away from release pens, with less favoured habitats such as grass, winter game cover crops and natural regeneration set-aside being found near release pens. 2. In the other study area, 62km2 for 33 years we found no effect of proximity to release pens on grey partridge density, fecundity or survival.

Differential impact of a shared nematode parasite on two gamebird hosts: implications for apparent competition.

If the deleterious effects of non-specific parasites are greater on vulnerable host species than on reservoir host species then exclusion of the vulnerable host through apparent competition is more likely. Evidence suggests that such a mechanism occurs in interactions between the ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), the grey partridge (Perdix perdix), and their shared caecal nematode Heterakis gallinarum. Modelling of the system predicts that the reduced parasite impact on the pheasant compared to the partridge results in the force of infection transmitted from pheasants to partridges being sufficient to cause partridge exclusion. Since the parasite impacts are currently estimated from correlational work, controlled infections were conducted to experimentally compare the impact of H. gallinarum on the two hosts and verify cause and effect. While challenged partridges showed reduced mass gain, decreased food consumption, and impaired caecal activity, in comparison to controls, the only detectable effect of parasite challenge on the pheasant was impaired caecal activity. The impact of H. gallinarum on challenged partridges conforms with previous correlational data, supporting the prediction that parasite-mediated apparent competition with the ring-necked pheasant may result in grey partridge exclusion. However, the observed decrease in the caecal activity of challenged pheasants could imply that H. gallinarum may also have an impact on the fecundity and survival of pheasants in the wild, particularly if food is limiting. If this is the case, the associated decrease in the force of infection to which the partridge is exposed may be sufficient to change the model prediction from partridge exclusion to pheasant and partridge coexistence.

Demography and the decline of the grey partridgePerdix perdixin France

Summary1. Bird populations can be efficiently managed only if the demographic mechanisms that cause change are correctly understood. Here we illustrate the demographic variables causing decline among grey partridgePerdix perdixpopulations in France by comparing populations that show contrasting trends. The analysis combined a field survey at 10 contrasting sites during 3 years, modelling and statistical analyses; survival rates and reproductive success were estimated through the largest‐ever radio‐tracking study of hens, while density was estimated through counts.2. Population viability analyses showed that, in France, north‐western populations of grey partridge were healthy whereas south‐eastern populations were declining.3. Elasticity analyses accounting for environmental stochasticity indicated that the survival rate during shooting, over winter and at the time of the first nesting attempt were the most important demographic influences on population growth rate. The hatching rate, covey size at hatching of first clutches and chick survival rate were secondary. The contribution of replacement clutches to population change was low.4. Multiple regression showed that hen survival during the first nesting attempt explained 33% of the variability in the population growth rate across populations. The shooting pressure increased with the health of the population.5. Improving survival rate during winter and the first nesting attempt was not sufficient for recovery in a declining population. It was also necessary to increase simultaneously the hatching rate of first clutches and chick survival rate to produce a stable population that could sustain shooting.6. Low hen survival rates, in particular during the breeding period, explain the recent decline of grey partridge populations in some regions of France. However, the recovery of populations will need a simultaneous improvement of several demographic parameters.

Effects of Radiotransmitters on Survival and Reproductive Success of Gray Partridge

Because of the recent decline in gray partridge (Perdix perdix) populations in northern France, we conducted a field study in 1995-97 by using radiotelemetry to examine mortality causes. We investigated the effects of radiotransmitters on survival, reproductive success, and body mass of gray partridge. We captured 260 hens in spring 1995, 99 in autumn 1995, and 358 in spring 1996 and tagged them with a 10-g necklace radiotransmitter. We found no effects of radiotags on survival (P = 0.101), reproductive success (P = 0.375), and body mass (P = 0.990) in spring 1995. In contrast, adverse effects were observed in spring 1996 on survival (P < 0.001), reproductive success (P = 0.006), and body mass (P = 0.013). The postrelease effect on survival observed in spring 1996 varied among populations (P < 0.001), between radio types (P = 0.036), and with regard to body mass at time of capture (P = 0.046). The differences observed between years and across study areas were correlated to weather and predator abundance but not to habitat features we measured. Our findings suggest that radiotelemetry data must be carefully interpreted with regard to potential radiotag effects, all the more that these effects are influenced by environmental conditions.

Anti-predator behaviour of captive Grey partridges (Perdix perdix)

Different experiments of simulated predators (flights of a raptor model, playbacks of raptor whistles and of alarms by conspecifics) were carried out on groups of captive Grey partridges (Perdix perdix) from game-farm stock, either intensively- or parent-reared. Both flights and alarms elicited high levels of antipredator behaviour. Freezing and vigilance occurred significantly more in parentthan in intensively-reared coveys. Upright vigilant posture was performed significantly more by males than by females. Good sentinels, i.e. the more vigilant males, formed a stable pair bond earlier than the other males. Advanced reproductive timing might compensate for the increased risk of predation from a sustained vigilance.

Fibre types in breast and leg muscles of hand-reared and wild grey partridge (Perdix perdix)

Fibre types and sizes and their relative numbers and cross-sectional areas in M. pectoralis, M. supracoracoideus, and M. iliotibialis of hand-reared and wild grey partridge (Perdix perdix) were determined in order to see if there are differences that could account for the poor survival of hand-reared birds released into the wild. Histochemical staining for myosin ATPase and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) showed that most breast-muscle fibres (80-90%) are of the fast-twitch glycolytic (FG) type and a smaller portion of the fast-twitch oxidative glycolytic (FOG) type. In M. iliotibialis, about 60% of the fibres were FG fibres and the rest were of the FOG type. Judging from the low intensity of SDH staining, FOG fibres in the grey partridge appear weakly oxidative only. The relative number of FG fibres and their relative cross-sectional area in M. pectoralis were larger in the hand-reared than in the wild birds. The cross-sectional areas of both fibre types in M. iliotibialis were significantly larger in the hand-reared birds. Taken as a whole, these findings alone do not account for the poor survival of hand-reared partridge in the wild.

Introductions of Sharp-Tailed Grouse into Maine

Introductions of sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) into Maine were approved by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Game in 1954. Habitat inventories in 1955 suggested >1800 km2 were available for sharptails in Washington County. Seventy sharp-tailed grouse from North Dakota and Ne? braska were hard released near feeders in Washington County from 1957 to 1961. In the mid-1950's there was an interest in finding a game bird suitable for open land habitats in Maine. Prior to the 20th century, the heath hen {Tympanuchus cupido cupido) may have been present in southern Maine and introductions of greater prairie-chickens (T. c. pinnatus) had failed (Applegate 1993). Introductions of ring-necked pheasant {Phasianus colchicus) and gray partridge (Perdix perdix) had not been successful, probably because of lack of suitable habitat and adverse climate (Dorr 1952). Because most open land habitats in Maine in the 1950's were either dairy farms, open peat bog, or commercial blueberry {Vaccinium spp.) barrens, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Game decided to investigate introductions of sharp-tailed grouse {Tympanuchus phasianellus, Fig.l). A brief survey was conducted by Dr. G. A. Figure 1. Male sharp-tailed grouse dancing on lek. Photo by Randy D. Rogers * Wildlife Division, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 650 State Street, Bangor, ME 04401-5654. Present address: Research and Survey Section, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, PO Box 1525, Emporia, KS 66801-1525. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.136 on Tue, 05 Jul 2016 05:15:56 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 106 Northeastern Naturalist Vol. 4, No. 2 Ammann of the Michigan Department of Conservation (now Michigan Department of Natural Resources) in 1954. Ammann (unpub. Rep., Maine Dep. Inland Fisheries and Game) suggested that the focus on sharptail introductions should be in the blueberry barrens, particularly those in Washington County in eastern Maine. Based on Ammann's report, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Game, now Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), pursued intro? ductions of sharp-tailed grouse. Introductions of sharp-tailed grouse into Maine were not reported in the professional literature. Many of the original documents relating to this work have been or are in danger of being lost. This paper was prepared to document the historic introduction of sharp-tailed grouse into Maine and identify probable causes of failure as suggested by Toepferetal. (1990).

Winter and Spring Survival of Radio-Tagged Gray Partridge in North Dakota

I studied survival of 100 radio-tagged gray partridge (Perdix perdix) in North Dakota from winter to the beginning of nesting during 1985-87. Radio transmitters appeared to cause significant mortality among captured partridge (34%) during the first week postrelease, after accounting for mortality expected from other sources. Survival of partridge living >7 days posttrapping (n=55) from early January to 1 May was 38%. The major source of mortality after the first week was raptor predation. A Cox's proportional hazards analysis revealed that body mass (P=0.003) and sex (P=0.04) were significantly related to probability of survival. Partridge weighing ≥400 g had higher survival (50%) than those weighing <400 g (20%). Females had greater survival (59%) than males (19%)