Gray Partridge

Habitat Management Suggestions for Selected Wildlife Species
By R.J. Mackie, R.F. Batchelor, M.E. Majerus, J.P. Weigand, and V.P. Sundberg

The gray or Hungarian partridge, commonly referred to as the "HUN", is an upland game bird introduced into Montana. Since its introduction in the early 1900's, the gray partridge has filled diverse habitats within the prairie region of the state, where it is now one of the leading game birds. It is most abundant in the north-central and northeastern counties of the state.

As with most upland game birds, climate and vegetative cover are the two most important factors limiting the natural spread and abundance of the partridge. Conditions for a flourishing population are a cool, moderately dry climate and a mix of clover and food associated with cultivated and non-cultivated land.

Partridge populations have responded favorably to the increase in grain production in the state the past 30 years - - waste grain being one of their staple fall and winter foods. Areas of permanent cover such as was provided by the Soil Bank program of the late 1950's and early 1960's are of great benefit to the gray partridge. Such areas provide an abundance of weed seeds and insects, favorite summer foods, as well as excellent nesting cover.

Food

The diet of the gray partridge includes three primary food types: cultivated grains, seeds of a variety of weedy forbs, and green leafy materials. Weed seeds and waste grain are important the year around. In many localities, waste grain may account for 90 percent or more of the winter diet of the gray partridge.

In addition to the grains - - corn, wheat, barley, and oats - - other foods included alfalfa, bristlegrass, clover, dandelion, pigweed, ragweed, sunflower, and smartweed. Animal foods, especially important to immature birds, include ants, beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers.

Cover

For nesting sites and brood rearing areas, gray partridge select weed patches, grassy fence rows, alfalfa fields, roadside ditches, and rangeland with adequate cover. If food is available, these birds may remain on open rangeland during the entire winter and are quite capable of digging through shallow snow for food. Brushy areas provide escape cover and offer protection from winter winds during severe storms. Deep snow offers no great problem since partridge often burrow into snowbanks for protection.

Habitat Management Suggestions

Although the gray partridge seems to survive well under an intensified grain agriculture, some farming and ranching practices tend to limit their distribution and perhaps abundance. Heavy grazing by livestock causes reduction of food resources and protective cover. The trend toward farm consolidation and the use of ever larger farm equipment has resulted in destruction of natural cover and waste areas which provide escape and winter habitat for partridge. The transition of grain fields to pasture and haylands in many areas of the state has also reduced the total partridge habitat. The fall tillage of grain stubble has diminished vast acreages of habitat and food resources that otherwise would be available to partridge throughout the long Montana winter.

Develop Wild Cover

Let strips along fence rows, ditch banks, roadsides and field corners revert to natural cover.

Avoid Burning and Discing May Through June

One of the most important, simplest and practical actions a landowner can take to benefit gray partridge is to avoid burning, discing or spraying ditchbanks and waste areas from May through June. This period is the critical nesting season. Loss of cover at this time results in a) nest abandonment; b) forcing hens to nest in hay fields, where later mowings may cause heavy losses; c) destruction of chicks; and d0 reduction of insect food important to young partridge during their first few weeks of life.

Use Caution With Insecticides

Spraying with insecticides should be avoided during June and early July. By postponing spraying until late July, young partridge are insured adequate insect supply during their first and second weeks of life.

Tillage

In the grain belt, refraining from fall tillage of grain stubble provides cover and a waste grain food source available to partridge through the critical winter period besides deterring soil erosion when spring runoff occurs. Plantings for winter food are ordinarily not necessary, but leaving an uncut swath of grain at the edge of a field is an excellent and simple way to provide additional food for gray partridge, pheasants and sharp-tailed grouse.

Shelterbelts and Field Windbreaks

The establishment of shelterbelts and windbreaks, in addition to meeting their primary conservation objectives, can provide cover and food for pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse, occasionally gray partridge and a variety of non-game birds if properly maintained and care is given to the selection of plant materials of value to wildlife.

Seeding Roadsides for Nesting Cover

There are a number of significant values to seeding roadsides other than just nesting cover for partridge. One value - - the prevention and control of noxious weeds - - is an important consideration. Weeds are a natural product of disturbed soils. With a perennial cover of alfalfa and a grass such as tall wheatgrass, it is difficult for Canada or Russian thistle, bindweed, kochia, and other weedy species to become established and spread. Another dividend from roadside seedings is that perennial cover along roadsides has eye appeal, which makes any farm or ranch more attractive. In addition, the quality of farm life is enhanced by the presence of horned larks, lark buntings, meadowlarks, pheasants, rabbits and other wildlife. Honeybees can utilize persistently blooming roadside alfalfa as an important food source.

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 08/29/2006