partridge
/ˈpɑːtrɪdʒ
/noun (plural same or partridges)
A short-tailed game bird with mainly brown plumage, found chiefly in Europe and Asia.
- Family Phasianidae: several genera and many species, in particular the European grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa).
- The ubiquitous starling is one of the most widespread problem species but blackbirds, partridges, robins, sparrows, thrushes, and finches are also common.
- For many years this bird was persecuted by game preservers who believed that it was detrimental to both pheasants and partridges.
Origin
Middle English partrich, from Old French pertriz, perdriz, from Latin perdix.