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The species of December 2015

Alectoris Chukar Cypriotes

 

Name: Partridge
Scientific Name: Alectoris Chukar Cypriotes
Family: ‎Phasianidae

 

 

 

Description
The partridge is 32-35 cm long and weighs 420g-550g. The beautiful colors of the partridge are very visible all over her body. She has a gray and brown color on her chest and along the upper part of her body. Also impressive is the side part of her body, which has characteristic black and white vertical lines. Her cheeks are white and surrounded by a black line, which touches her forehead and neck. The lower part of her tail is brownish red and her beak as well as her legs have a bright red color.

Spreading
The partridge is considered one of the most important predatory species in Cyprus, which is threatened during periods of hunting activity. According to the management plan for the partridge population in Cyprus, the local partridge population has been significantly reduced. This is due to various factors such as the use of pesticides or the large number of stray dogs in the habitats where the partridge is housed. Thus, the treatment of the partridge population on the island is done by the introduction and enrichment of this species in the areas where there is a reduced number. In these areas, the appropriate conditions for the viability of the species (quality, condition and size of habitat) are taken into account [5].

Reproduction
The partridge breeding season begins in January or February, when the partridge herds become pairs. The mating process between the female and the male species is particularly impressive and characteristic of this particular bird species. Specifically, three or four weeks before the females are ready to mate, the males try to impress the females by choosing good areas in terms of available space for the construction of their nest, with quality food and cover for breeding.

Food
Its beak is pointed and it is used to feed on insects, ants, worms, seeds, leaves and tender shoots [1,2].

Special features
Although its wings are shorter and smaller than its size, they are ideal for high speeds immediately after takeoff.
The partridge uses its wings only when in danger and can fly only for a few seconds. A characteristic feature of the partridge is the way it walks, where its trunk is straight and arched.

Sources:
[1] Διαχειριστικό Σχέδιο για τον πληθυσμό των Περδικιών (Alectoris Chukar Cypriotes) στην Κύπρο (2014) Υπηρεσία Θήρας και Πανίδας, Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών
[2] http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%A0%CE%AD%CF%81%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%B1
[3] http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/fd/fd.nsf/all/826195642F28D88EC2257909002D6FC8/$file/%CE%96%CF%89%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B3%CE%AF%CE%B1.pdf?openelement
[4] http://www.birdlifecyprus.org/upload/Report%20poaching/REPORTPOACHING__GR.pdf
[5] http://flipbooks.gamefund.gov.cy/files/assets/basic-html/page163.html
[6] http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/Wildlife/wildlife_new.nsf/web05_gr/A5C48CCB3325EAD4C22578410043748B/$file/%CE%95%CF%84%CE%AE%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%B1%
20%CE%AD%CE%BA%CE%B8%CE%B5%CF%83%CE%B7%20%CE%A5%CF%80%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%83%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82%20%CE%98%CE%
AE%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%82%20%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9%20%CE%A0%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%B4%CE%B1%CF%82%20%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1%
20%CF%84%CE%BF%202013.pdf

Image source:
http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%A0%CE%AD%CF%81%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%B1#mediaviewer/File:Alectoris-chukar-001.jpg

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