The chukar partridge, or more simply chukar, (Alectoris chukar) is native to Eurasia. It was brought to the United States as a game bird in the 1800s and has since established wild populations in the arid western areas of the country, where they can find their preferred habitat: sparse, arid terrain. Although a wild population of these birds does not exist in here Massachusetts, chukars have been introduced to nearly every one of our fifty states, including Massachusetts, where they are regularly stocked for hunting. The Francis A. Crane Wildlife Management Area in Falmouth is one of these stocked locations, and is where I came across this lucky individual. 

Chukars are about twice the size of bobwhites (a species of quail native to our area) and are quite striking. They have well marked black and white bars on their flanks, a coral red bill and ring around their eye, and a black band running from their forehead down around their white throat. Like most quails and partridges, chukars are ground birds, flying only when necessary, and even then generally only for short distances. They are much more likely to walk or run along the ground if pursued, and even with their short legs and stout bodies they can easily out run humans. This individual had a pre-run tactic as well: stay absolutely still. It was hunkered down in the leaves at the edge of the trail and we almost walked right on by. Even after we stopped to observe it more closely, it made no move to run. 

“Lucky” is probably a strong word for this bird. It’s a long way from its native range, or even an area with its preferred habitat, and there probably are very few other chukars left on the property. But it did make it through the hunting season in one piece. Its reward: getting to spend the summer on Cape Cod. Apparently holding still and pretending to be invisible is a pretty good tactic.