I can easily say that Hungarian Partridge is among my favorite of the game birds to eat, they are so tender and full of flavor. I can also say that Huns are among one of the more difficult upland birds to shoot, they flush very easily and move swiftly.

Raising Hungarian Partridges is Challenging and Exciting!

Partridge producers typically raise one of two distinct species, the chukar or the Hungarian partridge. Chukars are generally purchased as day-old chicks, while Hungarians can only be purchased as eggs or mature birds.

Eats seeds from a wide variety of plants, including many grasses and weeds, also waste grain from crops such as wheat, oats, corn, sunflower. Seeds are most of diet in fall and winter; eats more green leaves in spring, insects in summer.

Range and habitat of the Hungarian partridge Populations were most successful throughout the northern prairie states, including Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, as well as southern Canada (National Audubon Society 2018).

Hungarian partridge are grayish brown birds with a dark orange face and throat. Their flanks are barred reddish brown and the tail feathers rusty. The male and female have a chestnut patch on their belly; the patch is much less pronounced or altogether absent on the female.

1.1 lbsAdult

However, Hungarian partridge and Chukar partridge recall very well also. In very harsh northern climates you may find it more to your benefit to use one of these species. The only changes you would have to make on the house would be to increase the funnel dimensions accordingly.

Delicate and tender, quick and easy to cook, full-flavoured but not too ‘gamey’ – there’s nothing not to love. Partridge is also a healthier option than most farmed meats.

The chukar is a rotund 32–35 cm (13–14 in) long partridge, with a light brown back, grey breast, and buff belly. The shades vary across the various populations.

A plump, round bird, the red-legged partridge is common on farmland, where it feeds on seeds, leaves and small invertebrates. When disturbed, it prefers to run instead of fly, but will fly short distances if necessary.

Grey partridges are non-migratory terrestrial birds. They are gregarious and form flocks in numbers of up to 30 outside of the breeding season. Grey partridges are diurnal but usually forage at dawn and dusk.

There are 92 known species of partridges, which are relatives of quail and live in grasslands the world over. Sadly, though, the birds are ground nesters, and not “likely to roost in pear trees,” says Michael Ward, avian ecologist at the University of Illinois.