Chuckers

A Chucker (a Partridge) looks like a large pigeon, though a member of the Pheasant family, it has mostly gray feathers. However, unlike pigeons, a Chucker has a red beak (and red feet) and a white area on the front of the neck. They are also bigger than pigeons. This pair has been wandering unafraid in our yard and the neighbor's yard now for several days. This morning I caught several shots of the pair eating the seeds (or yellow blossoms) that had fallen to the ground below the Palo Verde tree. The Chucker rarely flies. The male will flutter up to a rooftop and keep a lookout as a sentinel, calling and noisily chuck-chucking to warn his covey of danger. They are good runners and can also hop across the rocky terrain. Except for during breeding season (which is now), Chuckers live in coveys of up to 40 birds. The female lays 8-15 eggs in a scrape lined with grass, leaves and feathers within the shelter of rocks or brush. The male will often leave the female after she has laid her eggs. The chicks hatch after about 3 weeks, and will leave the nest and start feeding on insects shortly after hatching.

The top layout was made with Karen Schulz (SnickerdoodleDesignsbyKaren) kit 'Empty Nest.'