Species: Alectoris chukar
Chukar
Species
Encyclopedia of Puget Sound
Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Craniata
Class
Aves
Order
Galliformes
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Alectoris
NatureServe
Classification
Other Global Common Names
Perdrix choukar
Informal Taxonomy
Animals, Vertebrates - Birds - Other Birds
Formal Taxonomy
Animalia - Craniata - Aves - Galliformes - Phasianidae - Alectoris - Formerly regarded as a subspecies of A. GRAECA. Chukar populations in Israel comprise a rare avian example of genic divergence across short geographical distances and are a valuable scientific and conservation resource (Randi and Alkon 1994).
Ecology and Life History
Migration
true - false - false
Non-migrant
true
Locally Migrant
false
Food Comments
Feeds primarily on seeds and leaves. Also eats some fruits and insects.
Reproduction Comments
Clutch size is about 8-15. Incubation by female lasts 22-23 days (some authorities state male may incubate 1st clutch while female lays a 2nd). Nestlings are precocial. Young are almost full-size at 84 days.
Ecology Comments
In favorable habitat density may reach levels of 1 bird per 4 ha (Bureau of Land Management, no date). In late summer family groups may join and form larger groups. Males reportedly may leave female during incubation and spend summer with other males.
Length
36
Weight
619
Conservation Status
NatureServe Global Status Rank
G5
Global Status Last Reviewed
1996-11-25
Global Status Last Changed
1996-11-25
Other Status
LC - Least concern
Distribution
Conservation Status Map
<img src="http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/GetMapGif?CA.BC=SE&US.AZ=SE&US.CA=SE&US.CO=SE&US.HI=SE&US.ID=SE&US.IL=SE&US.MT=SE&US.NN=SE&US.NE=SE&US.NV=SE&US.NM=SE&US.OR=SE&US.SD=SE&US.TX=SE&US.UT=SE&US.WA=SE&US.WY=SE" alt="Conservation Status Map" style="width: 475px; height: auto;" />
Global Range
Native to Eurasia. Introduced and resident in North America, from British Columbia, northern Idaho, central and eastern Montana south to northern Baja California, southern Nevada, northern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and south-central Colorado. Also Hawaii (established on all main islands except Oahu) (AOU 1983).