The Tibetan partridge is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. They are found widely across the Tibetan Plateau and have some variations in plumage across populations. They forage on the ground in the sparsely vegetated high altitude regions, moving in pairs during the summer and in larger groups during the non-breeding season. Neither males nor females have spurs on their legs.
Region
Tibetan Plateau
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across the Tibetan Plateau from central and western China (including Tibet Autonomous Region, Qinghai, and western Sichuan) into adjacent highlands of Nepal and northern India. It inhabits alpine steppe, open scrub, rocky slopes, and grassy meadows with sparse shrub cover. Birds often use edges of high-altitude cultivation and yak-grazed pastures, taking advantage of scattered cover for concealment. In winter they descend slightly to windswept, snow-free patches and roost under shrubs or in shallow scrapes. They are generally sedentary, making only local movements in response to snow and food.
Altitude Range
3300–5200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Tibetan partridge is a high-altitude gamebird of the Tibetan Plateau, adapted to cold, thin air and open alpine landscapes. It moves in pairs during the breeding season and forms larger coveys at other times. Its bold black-and-white facial pattern and strongly barred flanks make it distinctive at close range. Unlike some galliforms, neither sex has leg spurs.
Illustration accompanying the species description
Temperament
wary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically in pairs during the breeding season; outside breeding, individuals gather in coveys that feed and roost together. Nests are shallow scrapes hidden under grass tussocks or shrubs, lined with vegetation. Likely monogamous, with the female incubating a clutch and the male often standing guard nearby.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls include clear, whistled notes and sharp, rattling chatter given from the ground or a small rise. Contact calls keep covey members together, while louder advertising calls carry across open slopes in the breeding season.
Plumage
Compact, rounded partridge with grey upperparts and a pale grey breast; flanks boldly barred with black and white. Face shows a striking white throat bordered by black and a dark eye-stripe; crown and nape brownish with fine scaling. Rump and tail coverts tinged rufous; wings show mottled brown with fine barring.
Diet
Feeds mainly on seeds, green shoots, leaves, and buds of alpine grasses and herbs. Supplements plant matter with insects and other invertebrates, especially for chicks requiring high protein. Also takes berries and roots when available and may swallow grit to aid digestion.
Preferred Environment
Forages on open ground in alpine steppe, meadow edges, and sparse scrub, often near scattered rocks or low shrubs that provide quick cover. Frequently uses grazed pastures and field margins near high-altitude settlements.
