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Species No. 32: Rock Partridge Alectoris Graeca

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Species No. 32: Rock Partridge Alectoris Graeca Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 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. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 205 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 Movements Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca Member RESIDENT State FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT 9 SI FR 9 ES PT IT 9 MT GR 9 CY RO BG 9 HR 9 Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 206 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 Definition of period of reproduction Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI SE EE LV LT PL SK In the 19th century, 4 unsuccessful attempt of introduction. The species was not accepted as part of the Slovak avifauna. CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT Continuous occupation 2, 9 of breeding territory SI FR Continuous occupation 1, 3, 9 of breeding territory ES PT IT Continuous occupation 26, 27 of breeding territory MT GR Continuous occupation 4 of breeding territory CY RO BG Courtship display 9 HR Continuous occupation 1, 16 of breeding territory Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 207 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 Period of reproduction Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca 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 C 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 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. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 208 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 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. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 209 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 Movements Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa Member RESIDENT State FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK 9 IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR 9 ES 9 PT 9 IT 9 MT GR CY RO BG HR Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 210 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 Definition of period of reproduction Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ DK UK Construction of the nest Released game birds and 2 wild breeders established from former introductions IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR Pair formation and 1, 3 occupation of breeding sites ES PT Pair formation 1, 5 IT Continuous occupation of 26, 27 breeding territories MT GR CY RO BG HR Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 211 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 Period of reproduction Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa 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 C 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 Comments and conclusions 1) The period of reproduction starts with the continuous occupation of the 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 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. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 212 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 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. Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 213 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 Movements Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara Member RESIDENT State FI SE EE LV LT PL SK CZ SK CZ DK UK IE DE NL BE LU HU AT SI FR ES 9 (Canaries ) PT IT 9 (Sardinia) MT GR CY RO BG HR Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 214 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 Definition of period of reproduction Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara Member Period of reproduction Comments References State begins with 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 26, 27 breeding territories MT GR CY RO BG HR Reproduction & Prenuptial Migration * 215 * Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 Period of reproduction Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara 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 C 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 Comments and conclusions 1) The period of reproduction starts with the continuous occupation of the 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 2nd decade of February (ES) to the 2nd decade of March (IT).
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