Identification
A long-tailed gamebird. Males are brightly patterned with red facial skin; females are mottled brown and much better concealed.
When to look
Mostly resident in its introduced European range. Numbers can be influenced by management as well as natural breeding.
Where to look
Farmland edges, scrub, river margins and cover adjoining cultivation provide feeding ground and shelter.
Behaviour and ecology
Food and nutrition
Plant foods such as seeds, grain, buds and fruit are important. Invertebrates also contribute, particularly when young birds are growing.
Breeding and life cycle
The female uses a shallow ground nest, sometimes lined with nearby vegetation. Dense cover can conceal both the nest and chicks.
A closer look
Its presence in a European landscape reflects a long history of introduction and management. A conspicuous male is not evidence that the species is native everywhere seen.
Global conservation assessment
LC · Least Concern
Global category recorded from the linked assessment; it does not describe local abundance. Least Concern does not mean absence of threats.
View the source assessment ↗Observation and photography
View from paths and leave birds an escape route into cover. Avoid walking through field margins during nesting or driving birds onto roads.
Sources and further reading
Keep a distance that allows birds to feed and rest normally. Do not enter colonies, approach nests, flush roosts or use playback for photographs. Never publish precise nest locations of sensitive species. Follow reserve rules and your guide's advice.