Tetrao rufus Linnaeus, 1758 The red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.

The genus name is from Ancient Greek alektoris a farmyard chicken, and rufa is Latin for red or rufous.

[1] It has become naturalised in flat areas of England and Wales, where it was introduced as a game species, and has been seen breeding as far north as Sutherland.

This species breeds on dry lowlands, such as farmland and open stony areas, laying its eggs in a ground nest.

There are three recognized subspecies: Adult red-legged partridges are sandy-brown above, pinkish-buff on the belly, and pale grey on the breast, with a prominent gorget of black streaking, bold rufous and black flank-bars, a cream throat, pink legs, and a red bill and eye ring.

This black colouration continues behind the eye, where it broadens, and then extends down around the throat-patch to meet the upper edge of the gorget.

The ability to breed two clutches simultaneously has led to it being extensively reared in captivity, and released for shooting.

[3] Many red-legged partridges are kept and bred in captivity in New Zealand aviaries where the population is considered secure at the moment.

By the time they reached Massey University (which had been invested in to take on the project), hopes were not high and only 135 chicks were hatched.

The programme at Massey was soon terminated and all the birds dispersed to other breeders, primarily the game farm at Te Ahoha which had already produced some young, but some were also given to the Wildlife Service.

Similar species is the chukar partridge which is not allowed to be kept in captivity and has been naturalized in the South Island as an upland game bird since the 1930s.