Red-legged Partridge are among the ground nesting birds seen on the reserve, and adults with their young are a regular sight in and around RSPB Geltsdale. We are sharing some facts about this beautiful and exotic-looking species which was introduced to the UK as a new gamebird in the 1700s.
Larger than the Grey Partridge, the Red-legged Partridge (Latin name: Alectoris rufa) is a plump, round bird with a large white chin and throat patch bordered with black, a grey body with bold black stripes on its flank and a chestnut-sided tail. It has a bright red beak and pink-red legs, which make it easy to identify. It measures between 32 and 34 cm in length, weighs 400 to 550g and has a wingspan of 47 to 50 cm. It was originally introduced to the UK from Europe, where it is mainly found in Spain and France. There are now 72,500 UK breeding territories.
Red-legged Partridges are often spotted in open scrub and farmland in England and lowland parts of eastern Scotland and Wales. They eat seeds, roots, leaves and small invertebrates. When disturbed, they will generally run instead of fly, but will fly short distances if necessary.
Red-legged Partridges breed in the spring, with the male choosing the site for the nest – a scrape in the ground in grass or bush, lined with vegetation. Females lay between 10 and 16 cream-coloured eggs with reddish spots and incubates them for 23 to 24 days. Chicks are cared for by both parents when they are born. They have brown and cream down and can fly 10 days after hatching, remaining in their family group until their first winter. Keep your eyes peeling for families of Red-legged Partridges while out walking at RSPB Geltsdale and in the surrounding countryside.