Partridge

Partridge vies with grouse for the position of premier game bird. There are two species of partridge available here; the most common is the grey or English partridge, considered to have the better and more delicate flavour. The other species is the red-legged partridge sometimes called ‘the Frenchman’. This bird was introduced into Britain in the seventeenth century at a time when overshooting had threatened the British stock. It is the larger of the two birds.

To distinguish the young birds of the grey species, look for their dark beak and yellowish legs, compared to the grey beak and legs of an adult. Pointed primaries (the two outer feathers) are also an indication of youth. For the red-legged partridge these primaries will be a cream colour in young birds. The bursa test can also be applied to these birds, an inserted matchstick should go up to about 1 cm (½ inch) in a young bird.