Page 147 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

GAMEBIRDS
Families Tetraonidae, Phasianidae
GAMEBIRDS

MIXED GROUP OF GROUND birds, these are
A all short-legged,short-billed species that feed
on vegetable matter, some with a very restricted
diet.Their chicks,however,require an abundance
of energy-giving insects. Several have ritualized
social behaviour, typified by the “lekking” of
Black Grouse. Males display in order to get the
best chance of being selected by a female,but take
no part in incubating eggs or rearing the young.

GROUSE
Round-bodied species with feathered legs and
feet, and typically cryptic plumages, grouse live
in demanding conditions,including bleak heather GIANT GROUSE
moors and high mountain tops. Biggest of all grouse is the
male Capercaillie, a threatened
species of pine forest habitats.
PHEASANTS
It is a social bird where numbers
Long-tailed male pheasants are gorgeous birds, remain high, but often solitary
while females are generally smaller and duller. in summer.
Some are secretive and hard to find.
PARTRIDGES
Small and rotund, partridges have far less
difference between male and female than the
grouse and pheasants,and the males take a greater FACIAL WATTLES
part in caring for the family.They are social Several species of gamebirds, such
as this Pheasant, have fleshy red
birds outside the breeding season.The Quail
appendages on the head. Pheasants
is a smaller species and a long-distance migrant, have been introduced for shooting
wintering in Africa. in many countries.

SHOW OFF
A male Black Grouse performs a courtship
display at dawn; these ritualized displays
are performed in groups in early spring.

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