ONCFS – (Office National de la Chasse e de la Faune Savage) – The gray partridge or partridge
Situation
Europe. The grey partridge is not currently threatened as a species in difficulty. In fact, numbers are still high across Europe. However, their numbers declined dramatically after World War II, before stabilizing in the 2000s. As a result, the grey partridge is currently classified as "least concern" or vulnerable throughout Europe. The species is listed in Appendices II and III of the Birds Directive and in Appendix III of the Bern Convention; hunting is permitted. France hosts the largest population of grey partridges in Western Europe. Its numbers were estimated at around 800,000 pairs in spring 2008. The decline in breeding pairs of grey partridges over the past 30 years has been accompanied by a decline in their numbers.
Regulatory measures in France
Hunting for gray partridge is permitted throughout the country. Grey partridge hunting is often managed at the request of hunters, and its methods may include:
• a hunting or management plan, mainly in the regions of Centre, Picardy and Champagne-Ardennes
• a limited number of hunting days (Nord Pas-de-Calais, Brittany, Franche-Comté…),
• a mixed quota system and a limited number of days.
A particular subspecies in the mountains
In the Alps, the grey partridge is found around the Lautaret Pass and in Briançonnais, at an altitude of about 2000 m. Its presence is linked to release, probably of a simple phenotype.
In the Pyrenees, it is found from west to east throughout the mountain range. This is the subspecies P. p. hispaniensis. It is considered very wild, and releasing is prohibited in mountain areas above 1000 m altitude.
The Massif Central still hosts splendid populations. This is the stronghold of the species, which simultaneously boasts the highest densities (locally up to 50 pairs/100 ha or more) and the highest percentage of municipalities where the species is present at densities exceeding 15 pairs/100 ha. Densities have declined in recent years, following the catastrophic reproduction of 2008 and the average of 2009. The national density index increased in 2011 and 2012 following excellent reproductions in 2010 and 2011. The geographical distribution of these different density levels reveals the existence, on the one hand, of entire regions particularly favorable to the species and, on the other, of a "mosaic" with sometimes significant density differences. One pair is in common with another. In other areas where the species occurs, densities do not exceed 5 pairs/100 ha. However, this is a “high density” locality, as the species is generally present only as relict populations at less than 1 pair/100 ha.
Sensitivity to agricultural practices
The grey partridge's terrestrial nature and its ownership of agricultural land make it susceptible to agricultural practices, including irrigation, tilling of wasteland and roadsides, and forage cutting in May-June, which are likely to destroy clutches and stray, unmated, or hooked partridges. The use of pesticides that reduce insect availability and can cause poisoning is certainly a limiting factor, as is early stubble ploughing.
Predation
There are many generalist predators that can potentially prey on grey partridges at the egg, chick, or adult stage. Mammalian predators include foxes and mustelids such as weasels, storks, and stoats; feral cats, wild cats, hedgehogs, mice, and stray dogs are other potential predators, but studies differ on the extent of their predation on grey partridges. Bird species that prey on grey partridges in their adult stage are primarily birds of prey, such as the hen harrier or European harrier; corvids, such as the black raven or the magpie, attack eggs and chicks. These predators can be classified into two broad categories depending on their hunting strategy: terrestrial carnivores that hunt after dark, rather than by scent, and aerial predators, including daytime hunting in plain sight.
Illnesses
There are a number of diseases associated with parasitic worms (respiratory: syngamous or digestive: capillaries, heteroquinosis), fungi (aspergillosis), protozoa (histomoniasis, trichomoniasis, coccidiosis), or bacterial diseases (pasteurellosis, salmonellosis, colibacillosis). Their impact on wild birds is not very significant.
Resistance to atmospheric agents
Grey partridges are particularly sensitive to weather conditions in their reproduction. Precipitation can drown eggs, and high temperatures can compromise hatching. Cold, wind, and rain are likely to significantly increase chick mortality. Weather conditions can also affect chick survival indirectly through the availability of insects. Similarly, harsh winter conditions (frost, snow) can make foraging for food difficult and energy-intensive for adult birds.
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