Grey partridge

The grey partridge ("Perdix perdix") is a 30 cm tall bird. It is brown-backed and has grey flanks and chest. The belly is white, usually marked with a large chestnut-brown horse-shoe mark. This mark should not only be the detail to divide into male or female partridge. When disturbed or if it feels danger, it flies a short distance. The song is a harsh "kieerr-ik" or "keev-it" and often calling "rick rick rick" or "it-it-it".
Partridges live in open country including farmland, moorland, downs, steppes, semi-desserts and sand dunes. They prefer a warm and dry climate. They eat grains, seeds and small insects.
The scientific name is the Latin for "partridge", and is itself derived from Ancient Greek "perdix".