Chukar

The chukar predominantly spends its time terrestrial, with flight being a short-range response to perceived threats. Baleful and communicative, these birds serve as vigilant observers for danger, employing distinct calls to signal the presence of predators, both terrene and aerial. At dusk, chukar roost on the ground, seeking shelter under flora or stones. These monogamous creatures engage in territorial behavior during mating seasons, with males initiating courtship through a series of calls and elaborate displays, including a variety of striking poses and movements. Although males typically depart post-egg-laying, a minority remains to aid the brood. Exhibiting a social disposition, chukar frequently assemble into familial aggregations known as coveys, which may expand to multiple kinship groups or include single adult birds. In arid conditions, these coveys might persist throughout the year, with breeding occasionally taking a hiatus.

This partridge has its native range in Asia, including, Syria, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, along the inner ranges of the western Himalayas to Nepal. Further west in southeastern Europe it is replaced by the red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa. It barely ranges into Africa on the Sinai Peninsula. The habitat in the native range is rocky open hillsides with grass or scattered scrub or cultivation. In Israel and Jordan it is found at low altitudes, starting at 400 m (1,300 ft) below sea level in the Dead Sea area, whereas in the more eastern areas it is mainly found at an altitude of 2,000 to 4,000 m (6,600 to 13,100 ft) except in Pakistan, where it occurs at 600 m (2,000 ft). They are not found in areas of high humidity or rainfall. It has been introduced widely as a game bird, and feral populations have become established in the United States (Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, high desert areas of California), Canada, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Hawaii. Initial introductions into the US were from the nominate populations collected from Afghanistan and Nepal. It has also been introduced to New South Wales in Australia but breeding populations have not persisted and are probably extinct. A small population exists on Robben Island in South Africa since it was introduced there in 1964. The chukar readily interbreeds with the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa), and the practice of breeding and releasing captive-bred hybrids has been banned in various countries including the United Kingdom, as it is a threat to wild populations.

Not globally threatened.