Partridge images Peep Käspre
Translation Liis
Estonian text posted 07.12.2017
Partridges
Partridge Nurmkana Perdix perdix
The colder weather and the appearance of a snow cover brought partridges to fields near farms but even there they prefer keeping close to the forest or shrubs for security.
Partridges look plump, with a small head compared to the body; throat and cheeks yellowish brown, the breast and neck blue-gray, back plumage greyish brown with white speckles. Females as well as males may have a dark breast patch. In flight view we can note the reddish-brown feathers at the edge of the tail. For information to viewers: the plumage of young birds from this summer is not yet as colourful and leaves a “duller” impression
On average thirty centimetres long birds; the weight can vary between a quarter of a kilo up to half a kilo.
In Europe the number of partridges has decreased by 80% in the last quarter of a century; it is not quite as bad yet in
Recent observations of partridges: LINK
Snow map from the Estonian Weather Services. Thickness of snow cover (cm) on 07.12.2017 at 08 EET.
