Chukar

The chukar is a medium-sized partridge native from southeastern Europe and the Middle East eastward through mountainous Asia to Manchuria. Introduced populations also occur in North America, Hawaii, and New Zealand. It favors steep, rocky, arid or semiarid country where grasses and scattered shrubs provide food and cover and scattered water sources remain accessible. Gray-brown upperparts, a buff belly, bold barred flanks, a white throat enclosed by a black facial line, and red legs give it a distinctive appearance. (Animal Diversity Web)

Adult chukars forage opportunistically for grass and forb seeds, green leaves, grains, and shrub fruits. Chicks depend much more heavily on insects, while adults sometimes exploit abundant locusts. The birds are monogamous and form pairs during spring courtship, when males display their barred flanks and both partners perform tidbitting movements. Nests are simple ground scrapes placed among rocks or brush. Females usually incubate clutches of seven to twenty-one eggs for about 24 days, after which the precocial young can accompany their parents. (Animal Diversity Web)