CHUKAR
Alectoris chukar
GALLIFORMES
Turkeys and Grouse (Phasianidae)

Range and Habitat
Introduced from Eurasia; now occurs from British Columbia and Alberta south to California and Colorado. Preferred habitats include arid rocky hillsides and canyons.
The breeding male Chukar has orange-brown and slate-blue upperparts and breast. The flanks are white with black and
rufous barring. The white face has a sharp black line
extending to the neck.

SOUND: "chuck chuck chuck"

Since they live in arid regions, Chukar must take advantage of all water sources. They have been observed seeking water
as deep as 10 feet below ground in abandoned mine shafts.
They prefer hillsides of 20 to 30 degrees of slope to flat ground.
They are hardy birds and can easily outrun a hunter.
The Chukar has a large range of up to 10 million kilometers and a population of around 150,000 individual birds. This bird is native to numerous countries throughout the world, primarily the Middle East. It is believed to be extinct in Kuwait, but even so is rated as Least Concern due to its population and range and is not thought to be in danger in other areas of its native range. This bird has also been introduced to several countries in Europe as well as the United States.