RED PARTRIDGE: Description

La Red partridge belongs to the order Galliformes, family Phasianidae. There Red partridge it is a galliforme with a stocky and compact appearance, measuring about 33-35 cm, and is very similar to the Gray Partridge especially in the juvenile plumage. Adults of Red partridge they are recognized by the red beak and legs, white throat and black collar that dissolves in the upper part of the chest in a thickly striped band of black. The head is brown-gray with a brown vertex and evident white eyebrow, under which there is a black eye streak that joins the bib. The outline of the eye area is red. The sides are lavender gray with large and characteristic white, brown and black stripes. There Red partridge, such as Gray partridge, has reddish-brown tail angles which stand out when it flies, but unlike the latter, it has a less compact flight, in which the rounded and strongly fringed wings stand out. There Red partridge on the ground it moves faster than the Gray Partridge, and is more reluctant to fly, preferring to hide in the thick of the vegetation. There Red partridge it is a resident, gregarious species, often observable in small groups.

RED PARTRIDGE: Habitat and distribution area

The habitat of choice for Red partridge, typical galliform from open areas, partially coincides with that of the Gray Partridge, and is mainly composed of crops associated with uncultivated areas with sparse arboreal vegetation, well-drained open lands surrounded by hedges and rows. Unlike the Gray Partridge, the Red partridge it also uses the rocky hillsides and mid-mountain slopes and the gully areas, which play a very important role as refuge and feeding sites (Zacchetti, 1984). Red partridge it is also found in the intermediate habitats of meadow or pasture, in the vineyards and in the marginal areas of hilly crops, avoiding too humid or too dry environments. Compared to Gray partridge it is ultimately less linked to cereal crops. It is a purely European species, widespread in the western part of the continent (Tucker & Heath, 1994). The distribution area of the Red partridge includes Portugal, Spain, France, England and Italy. It was also introduced in the Azores, Canaries and Madeira islands, while it became extinct in western Germany (Rhine and Moselle valleys) in the 1992th century (Fornasati et al., XNUMX). In Italy the Red partridge it is present in the north-Apennine area (Tuscany, Liguria, Lombardy and Emilia Romagna) and on the Island of Elba. There are small populations in other regions, but they are the result of introductions for hunting purposes (Brichetti & Fasola, 1990).

RED PARTRIDGE: Size and trend of populations

The European population of the Red partridge it is estimated at approximately 2,2-4,5 million couples, most of which reside in Spain. There Red partridge it is considered a vulnerable species (category SPEC2) and 95% of the population is in large decline. Only in England, where the species was introduced in the late 1980th century, do populations show an increase since 1994, but only because the decline in natural populations has been masked by the massive introductions of animals from captivity (Tucker & Heath, XNUMX) .

RED PARTRIDGE: Conservation and management

It is included in the Italian Red List among the threatened species "at least risk". The basic requirements to stop the decline of the populations of Red partridge they consist primarily of habitat management and conservation measures. The promotion of non-intensive and low-impact agricultural practices, which respect the territory without affecting the marginal areas, is a fundamental aspect for creating useful environments for the species. These interventions should be carried out both in hilly environments and in the plains, in order to put in contact the relict nuclei present in the protected areas. Another factor of primary importance is the limitation of hunting activities and related initiatives, such as the introduction of alien species (for example the Ciukar) or of uncertain origin, which cause hybridization with the Red partridge causing a loss of the genetic patrimony of the latter. The hunting pressure on the Red partridge it should be strictly regulated, also taking into account that repopulations carried out for hunting purposes create ephemeral contingents that do not contribute to the conservation of the species, but on the contrary negatively interfere with the natural resident population.