Perdix

Perdix

Taxobox
name = "Perdix"


image_width = 250px
image_caption = Grey Partridge
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Galliformes
familia = Phasianidae
genus = " Perdix "
genus_authority = Brisson, 1760
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "P. perdix"
"P. dauurica"
"P. hodgsoniae"

"Perdix" is a genus of partridges with representatives in most of temperate Europe and Asia. One member of the genus, the Grey Partridge, has been introduced to the United States and Canada.

These are non-migratory birds of open country. The nest is a lined ground scrape in or near cover. They feed on a wide variety of seeds and some insect food.

These are medium-sized partridges with dull-coloured bills and legs, streaked brown upperparts, and rufous tails and flanks barring. Neither sex has spurs on the legs, and the only plumage distinction is that females tend to be duller in appearance.

Grey and Daurian Partridges are very closely related and similar in appearance, and form a superspecies. Tibetan Partridge has a striking black and white face pattern, black breast barring and 16 tail feathers instead of the 18 of the other species.

None of the species is threatened on a global scale, but the two more widespread partridges are over-hunted in parts of their range. The Grey Partridge has been badly affected by agricultural changes, and its range has contracted considerably.

The Tibetan Partridge seems secure in its extensive and often inaccessible range on the Tibetan plateau.

The bird shares its name with the nephew of Daedalus of Greek mythology, who was transformed into the bird when his uncle murdered him in jealousy.

pecies

* Grey Partridge, "Perdix perdix"
** Italian Grey Partridge, "Perdix perdix italica" - extinct (c.1990); validity doubtful
* Daurian Partridge, "Perdix dauurica"
* Tibetan Partridge, "Perdix hodgsoniae"

A prehistoric species only known from fossils was described as "Perdix palaeoperdix". Occurring all over southern Europe during the Early - Late Pleistocene, it was a favorite food of the Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals. The relationships between the prehistoric species and the Grey Partridge are somewhat obscure; while very similar, they might be better understood as sister species rather than the Grey Partridge evolving from the Pleistocene taxon.

References

* Madge, Steve; McGowan, Philip J. K. & Kirwan, Guy M. (2002): "Pheasants, partidges and grouse : a guide to the pheasants, partridges, quails, grouse, guineafowl, buttonquails and sandgrouse of the world". Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-3966-0


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Perdix — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Para otros usos de este término, véase Perdix (desambiguación). ? Perdix …   Wikipedia Español

  • Perdix — kann bedeuten: die Vogelgattung Perdix, siehe Rebhühner eine Gestalt aus den Metamorphosen des Ovid, siehe Perdix (Mythologie) Diese Seite ist eine …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Perdix — {{Perdix}} »Rebhuhn«, ein kluger Neffe des Daidalos*, den dieser aus Neid auf seine Erfindungsgabe von der Akropolis in Athen stieß. Im Sturz wurde der Junge von Athene* in ein Rebhuhn verwandelt, das – aus Angst vor tiefen Stürzen – nie… …   Who's who in der antiken Mythologie

  • Perdix — Per dix (p[ e]r d[i^]ks), n. [L., a partridge, Gr. pe rdix.] (Zo[ o]l.) A genus of birds including the common European partridge. Formerly the word was used in a much wider sense to include many allied genera. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Perdix [1] — Perdix (lat.), 1) Feldhuhn; 2) Rebhuhn …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Perdix [2] — Perdix, Schwester des Dädalos, Mutter des Talos; sie soll Säge u. Zirkel erfunden haben …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Perdix [1] — Perdix, das Rebhuhn …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Perdix [2] — Perdix, im griech. Mythus Sohn des Cupalamos, Schwestersohn des Dädalos, wurde, von diesem aus Eifersucht auf die Erfindung der Säge und des Zirkels von der Akropolis in Athen gestürzt, in den Vogel gleichen Namens (Rebhuhn) verwandelt. Vgl.… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Perdix — PERDIX, ícis, Gr. Πέρδιξ, ικος, (⇒ Tab. XXIX.) nach einigen des Dädalus Schwester, Apollod. l. III. c. 14. §. 9. nach andern aber dieser ihr Sohn; Hygin. Fab. 274. der sonst auch Talus geheissen, und, da ihn Dädalus von dem Schlosse zu Athen… …   Gründliches mythologisches Lexikon

  • PERDIX — I. PERDIX Daedali nepos. quem, cum serrae usum primus reperisset, a patruo invidiâ percito ab excelsa quâdam turri ferunt perisset, a patruo invidiâ percito ab excelsa quâdam turri ferunt praecipitatum, deorumque misericordiâ in avem sui nominis… …   Hofmann J. Lexicon universale

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”