The French Partridge, chukar partridge, also known simply as chukar, is a Palearctic upland gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is part of a superspecies complex with the rock partridge, Philby’s partridge, and Przevalski’s partridge. Native to Asia, it has been introduced in various places, forming feral populations in North America and New Zealand. Additionally, it can be found in parts of the Middle East and temperate Asia.
Physical characteristics:
- Length: 32–35 cm (13–14 in)
- Light brown back, grey breast, and buff belly
- Black and white bars on flanks
- Black band from forehead across the eye, forming a necklace around a white throat
- Rufous-streaked flanks, red legs, and coral red bill
- Both sexes are similar, with the female slightly smaller and lacking a spur
Distinctive features:
- Tail with 14 feathers, third primary being the longest
- Gorget on the face distinguishes it from similar species
- Song: Noisy chuck-chuck-chukar-chukar
Common names: chukker, Indian chukar, keklik
Chukar feathers:
- Pearl gray flank feathers
- Two distinct bands on breast feathers (white and dark gray or black)
- Gray-brown rump feathers suitable for hackle on small, natural-colored streamers
- Chukar skins yield flank feathers for various applications, including cheeks on salmon flies and larger soft hackle wet flies
- Substituting Chukar for Partridge provides a different, unique look to fly patterns, especially in traditional dry fly patterns with wing burners.