Species no. 32: Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca · and disturbance by tourism (Atlas de las Aves de España, 1997). The race italica is limited to central and southern Italy, where

Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008

Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 205 *

Species no. 32: Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca Distribution: This European endemic partridge inhabits both low-altitude rocky steppes and mountainous open heaths and grasslands. It occurs in the Alps, the central and southern Apennines, Sicily and the Balkan Peninsula. Movements: It is sedentary, but is known to make some local movements between high altitude summer quarters and lower altitude wintering quarters. Population size and trends: The European breeding population numbers 40,000-78,000 pairs with the largest population in Italy and Greece (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The EU 27 population is estimated at 20,000-38,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A, 2004B). Although certain populations-notably sizeable ones in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece were stable or increased during 1990-2000, the same species continued to decline across most of its European range and underwent a moderate decline (>10%) overall (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The main cause of decline in mountain areas is probably the loss, and change, of prime habitat associated with decreasing rural low-intensity activities. The development of the tourist industry has also led to habitat destruction and, by opening up remote areas, increased disturbance during the breeding season. In Mediterranean regions, the decline seems due to increased human impact, especially poaching and intensive hunting. Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is 8-14 eggs (6-21, highest numbers perhaps by 2 females); incubation: 24-26 days; fledging period: capable of precocious flight at 7-10 days, independence of young c. 6 decades after hatching. Broods: 1 or 2, clutches sometimes laid a few days apart and second clutch incubated by the male.



Movements

Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca

Member State RESIDENT

FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR



Definition of period of reproduction


Member State

Period of reproduction begins with

Comments References

FI SE EE LV LT PL SK In the 19th century,

unsuccessful attempt of introduction. The species was not accepted as part of the Slovak avifauna.

4

CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT Continuous occupation

of breeding territory 2, 9

SI FR Continuous occupation

of breeding territory 1, 3, 9

ES PT IT Continuous occupation


MT GR Continuous occupation

of breeding territory 4

CY RO BG Courtship display 9 HR Continuous occupation




Period of reproduction


J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

Comments and conclusions 1) The period of reproduction starts with the continuous occupation of breeding

territory (i.e. 4 decades before egg laying) and ends with the independence of young birds (c. 6 decades after hatching).

2) The beginning of the reproduction period ranges from the 3rd decade of February (IT-Sicily, GR-low-altitude habitats, HR) to the 2nd decade of April (AT, FR, IT-Alps, GR-high-altitude habitats).

3) The end of the reproduction period occurs during the 1st decade of August (BG) to the 3rd decade of September (AT, FR, GR). In Sicily and low-altitude habitats in Greece it ends during the 3rd decade of August.



Species no. 33: Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa Distribution: This European Union endemic partridge occurs in South Western Europe (France, Spain, Portugal, Corsica, northern Italy and Balearic Islands). While it has disappeared from Germany and northern France, it has been introduced successfully in England, Wales, Scotland, Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands. Movements: This is a sedentary species Population size and trends: The population of this partridge is very large (>2,000,000 pairs)(BirdLife Int. 2004A). However, since the 1960s, the wild partridge stocks have declined throughout the range. The reasons for the decline include the intensification of agriculture (heavy pesticide use, mechanisation, irrigation, removal of hedges), the abandonment of farming in the hills and subsequent scrub encroachment and heavy shooting pressure exacerbated by the release of reared birds which encourages a level of exploitation that wild stocks cannot sustain. In many areas of Spain releases of hybrids threaten the genetic purity of wild stocks (EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds, 1997). The European populations have underwent a moderate overall decline (>10%) since 1970 (BirdLife Int. 2004A). Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size: 10-16 eggs (7-20); incubation: 23-24 days; fledging period: capable of precocious flight at ca. 10 days; young birds are independent c. 6 decades after hatching. Young birds stay with parents through out the first winter. Broods: 1 or 2 simultaneous broods.



Movements

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa


FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR





Member State


Comments References

FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK Construction of the nest Released game birds and

wild breeders established from former introductions

2

IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR Pair formation and

occupation of breeding sites

1, 3

ES PT Pair formation 1, 5 IT Continuous occupation of

breeding territories 26, 27

MT GR CY RO BG HR






Comments and conclusions 1) The period of reproduction starts with the continuous occupation of the breeding


2) The beginning of the reproduction period ranges from the 1st decade of March (UK, PT) to the 1st decade of April (ES).

3) The end of the reproduction period ranges from the 2nd decade of August (IT) to the 2nd decade of September (UK, FR). In central France, the period of reproduction begins and ends ca. 2 weeks later than in south.



Species no. 34: Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara Distribution: This partridge is mainly a bird of North Africa, but it is also known from Sardinia, the Canary Islands and a tiny population in Gibraltar. Movements: This is a sedentary species. Population size and trends: The European/EU breeding population numbers 7,500-20,000 pairs of which 5,000-10,000 breed in Italy and 2,500-10,000 on the Canary Islands (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The trend for the Sardinian population is unknown (BirdLife Int. 2004A) Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is 10-14 eggs (8-18); incubation: probably c. 25 days; fledging period: presumably capable of precocious flight at 7-10 days. Young birds are independent c. 6 decades after hatching.



Movements

Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara


FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES (Canaries ) PT IT (Sardinia) MT GR CY RO BG HR





Member State


Comments References

FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT Continuous occupation of

breeding territories 26, 27

MT GR CY RO BG HR






Comments and conclusions 1) The period of reproduction starts with the continuous occupation of the breeding


2) The beginning of the reproduction period ranges from the 2nd decade of February (ES) to the 2nd decade of March (IT).

3) The end of the reproduction ranges from the 2nd decade (IT) to the 3rd decade of August (ES).



Species no. 35: Grey Partridge Perdix perdix Distribution: The Grey Partridge was originally a bird of the steppe, distributed from Central Europe to Mongolia. It has become adapted to arable land and has consequently been able to colonise most of Europe, from the Mediterranean regions to 65°N in Scandinavia. Movements: This is a sedentary species. Population size and trends: The European population numbers 1.6 – 3.1 million pairs including 580,000-800,000 pairs in Russia (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The population in EU 27 is estimated at 840,000-1,900,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A, 2004B). The species increased in many countries in eastern Europe but decline in western Europe and overall the European population underwent a large decline during 1990-2000 (BirdLife Int. 2004A). Changes in farming practices in recent decades have altered its habitat adversely. The traditional mosaic of mixed farming has disappeared or has declined severely in many countries, causing a reduction in abundance of insect prey for chicks, loss of nesting cover and increased predation. Large-scale releases for hunting purposes (e.g. in Belgium) results in genetic, demographic and sanitary problems. In some regions it is even on the verge of extinction, and two races have been included in Annex I. The race hispaniensis is restricted to the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula and the northern slopes of the Pyrenees (France). Its population is estimated at 2,000-6,000 breeding pairs in Spain, and is decreasing because of habitat changes, over-hunting and disturbance by tourism (Atlas de las Aves de España, 1997). The race italica is limited to central and southern Italy, where it is currently very rare and probably extinct or on the verge of extinction. Both the hispaniensis and the italica subspecies are included in Annex I of the Birds Directive. Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size: 10-20 eggs (4-29, often stated that clutches of c. 24 or more from 2 females but this certainly not always so); incubation: 23-25 days; fledging period: capable of precocious flight at ca. 15 days; independence of young birds at c. 6 decades; broods: 1.



Movements

Grey Partridge Perdix perdix

Member

State

RESIDENT

FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE Very few* DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT Very few IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

* Very few (<50?) wild individuals left but game stocking takes place with 1,000 or more released annually.




Grey Partridge Perdix perdix Member

State Period of reproduction

begins with Comments References

FI Pair formation and occupation of territories

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

SE Construction of the nest 11, 12, 13 EE Construction of the nest LV 1 LT Courtship display 7 PL Pair formation and

occupation of territories 1, 3

SK Pair formation and occupation of territories

In mild weather pair formation begins in February

1, 2

CZ Occupation of breeding sites

DK Construction of the nest UK Construction of the nest Released game birds &

wild breeders

IE Construction of the nest 1, 4 DE Courtship display 4 NL Occupation of territories 23 BE Permanent occupation of

territories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

LU Permanent occupation of territories

HU Construction of nest Replacement clutch possible even in Aug-Sep

1

AT Continuous occupation of territories

Pairing often already in winter; young stay in families until winter.

1, 2

SI Both natural and feral populations

SI1, SI2

FR Occupation of territories and first laying

Presence of the two sub-species

8

ES PT IT Continuous occupation


MT GR CY RO 6 BG Continuous occupation

of breeding sites 9, 14, 19

HR Continuous occupation of breeding territory

1




Grey Partridge Perdix perdix

J A N F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E CFI SE EE LV-B

LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR 1 2 ? ES PT IT MT GR CY RO BG HR

FR - 1) P. p. perdix; 2) P. p. hispaniensis Comments and conclusions 1) The period of reproduction starts with the continuous occupation of the breeding


2) The beginning of the reproduction period ranges from the 1st decade of February (CZ) to the 2nd decade of May (LV).

3) The end of the reproduction period ranges from the 3rd decade of May (NL) to the 3rd decade of September (ES, IT, FR-P. p. hispaniensis?).



Species no. 36: Common Quail Coturnix coturnix Distribution: Western Eurasia, Northern India, North Africa, Southern and Eastern Africa, Madagascar, Comoro Islands and Mascarenes. In the Palearctic, the species has a wide breeding distribution across temperate Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa. The main wintering areas are in Africa south of the Sahel and in India. About 10-25% of its global range occurs in Europe, where it is widespread south of 60°N. Movements: The European population is highly migratory with most of the birds moving to Africa in winter, though small number remains in Southern Europe. The long distance migrant population decrease, whilst the number of birds wintering north of the Sahel has increased. The return migration to the breeding grounds in Europe occurs in late April – early May. Population size and trends: The European breeding population of Quail is very large (2,800,000-4,700,000 pairs) and fluctuates, but underwent a large decline during 1970-1990, especially in central and eastern Europe (BirdLife int. 2004A). The EU 27 population numbers 810,000-1,540,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A, 2004B). Although the species increased in northern and central Europe during 1990-2000, declines continued in south-eastern Europe, and the total population size probably remains below the level that preceded its decline (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The large populations of France and Spain have appeared to be variable but stable. Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size: usually 8-13 eggs (7-18, more than 18 probably by 2 females); incubation: 17-20 days; fledging period: c. 19 days, but can flutter off grounds at c. 11 days.



Movements

Common Quail Coturnix coturnix

MIGRANT Member State RESIDENT Breeding Passage Wintering

FI 0-10 pairs Few SE EE Few Few LV LT PL SK CZ Accidential DK UK IE 15-70 pairs DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES PT IT Sardinian birds

may be sedentary

Very few

GR Cretan birds may be sedentary

Very few

CY MT Few RO BG Occational HR





Member State


Comments References

FI Occupation breeding sites Little data available 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SE Occupation breeding sites EE Occupation breeding sites LV 1 LT Courtship display 7 PL Occupation breeding sites 2 SK Occupation breeding sites CZ Occupation of breeding

sites by singing males

DK Occupation breeding sites UK Occupation breeding sites 2 IE Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 3 DE Occupation breeding sites 4 NL Occupation breeding sites 16, 38 BE Occupation breeding sites 1, 2, 3, 4 LU Occupation breeding sites 1 HU Occupation of breeding

sites Replacement clutch possible in July-Aug

AT Occupation of breeding sites

Mating 2, 13

SI FR Occupation breeding sites by singing males 6 ES Occupation breeding sites 1 PT Occupation breeding sites 1, 3, 4 IT Occupation breeding sites Egg laying 1, 4, MT 5 GR Occupation breeding sites

& nuptial parade 1, 2, 3

CY Occupation of breeding sites

RO 6 BG Occupation breeding sites 2, 9 HR Occupation of breeding

sites by singing males 1






FR - some years there are exceptionally late broods in September Comments and conclusions 1) Its reproductive strategy is not fully known. Occupation of breeding sites by

singing males is considered to be the beginning of the period of reproduction. 2) End of period of reproduction ranges from 3rd decade of June (CY, MT) to the 1st

decade of October (CZ, UK, DE, BG). 3) The reproduction period ends c. 3 decades after hatching (independence of young

birds), but since sighting of birds is difficult, the end of the period of reproduction may be extrapolated from the end of the nuptial parade (singing males).



Prenuptial migration


Difficulty in identifying the beginning of the period of return to the rearing grounds?

Member

State YES NO References

FI Low numbers and irregular presence

1, 2, 3, 4

SE Few observations; uncommon 19 EE X LV 1 LT X 5,7 PL X 2 SK X CZ X DK X UK X 1 IE No information DE X 4 NL X 21 BE X 1, 2, 3, 4 LU X 1 HU X AT X 2, 9, 13 SI X FR X 2, 6 ES X 1 PT IT X 1, 4, MT X 5 GR Mixing of resident and migrating

populations 1, 2, 3

CY X RO 6 BG X 2, 8, 22 HR Mixing of breeding and migrating

birds 1, 12

IT - Not difficult since only few wintering birds; while the species winters in Africa and the arrival of the first birds from the winter quarters indicates the start of the return movements.



Period of prenuptial migration



Comments and conclusions

1) The European population is highly migratory, with most birds wintering in Africa.

2) Arrival of the first migrants corresponds to the beginning of the prenuptial migration.

3) Beginning of prenuptial migration ranges from 3rd decade of February (MT) to the 1st decade of June (FI).



Species no. 37: Common pheasant Phasianus colchicus Distribution: The natural breeding distribution of this species extended from the Caucasus to Manchuria, Korea and Japan. It was introduced in Western Europe in Roman times, but in Greece it was perhaps already present as early as 1300 BC. It was introduced in many regions of Europe only at the end of last century or even at the beginning of the twentieth century. Movements: This is a sedentary species. Population size and trends: The European breeding population amounts to 3,400,000-4,700,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The population in EU 27 numbers 3,100,000 – 4,200,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A, 2004B). In northern Greece there is still a small population of nominate race colchicus which origin goes perhaps back to Antique times. It amounts to only a few hundreds of individuals (Handrinos & Akriotis, 1997). The European population declined in parts of north-central Europe during 1990-2000, while the key in the United Kingdom was stable or increasing. However, the status of the wild population is obscured by confusion with introduced birds. Regional densities vary according to the release of captive-bred birds. Biological and behavioural aspects: Incubation: 23-28 days; fledging period: capable of precocious flight at ca. 12 days; broods remain with female for 70-80 days before becoming independent; broods: 1.



Movements

Common pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Member State

RESIDENT Wild

populations

RESIDENT Feral

populations FI SE EE LV Few LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES Very few PT Very few IT MT GR CY RO BG Extinct HR





Member State


Comments References

FI Occupation of territory and harem formation

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

SE Construction of the nest 13 EE LV LT Courtship display 7 PL Courtship display Released game birds &


SK Courtship display 1, 2 CZ Courtship display DK 5 UK Construction of the nest Released game birds &


2

IE Construction of the nest Released game birds & wild breeders established from former introductions.

1, 2, 3, 6

DE Courtship display 4 NL Courtship display Remain with female c. 3

months 7, 8, 9, 10

BE Courtship display 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LU Courtship display 1 HU Courtship display 1 AT Construction of the nest 1, 2 SI FR Two weeks before laying 100 small natural

populations 1, 3

ES PT Occasional breeding of

released birds

IT Courtship display 26, 27 MT GR CY RO 6 BG Courtship display 8, 9, 19 HR Courtship display 1






Comments and conclusions

1) The period of reproduction starts with courtship display (i.e. 2 decades before egg laying) and ends with the independence of young birds (c. 6 decades after hatching).

2) The beginning of the reproduction period ranges from the 1st decade of February (SI) to the 2nd decade of May (LV).

3) The short duration for LU is explained by a present lack of data. 4) The end of the reproduction period ranges from the 3rd decade of July (LT, HU,

RO, BG) to the 3rd decade of September (DE). 5) It is not breeding in the wild in CY.

Documents

Species no. 32: Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca · and disturbance by tourism (Atlas de las Aves de España, 1997). The race italica is limited to central and southern Italy, where