|
| |
Game
birds in the UK all belong to the order Galliformes. The cocks of most species
are more colourful than the hens. Their food consists of grains and insects that
they obtain by picking off the ground. They tend to fly relatively short
distances with rapid wing beats and the flight will usually end in a long glide
before the bird lands. They are present from lowland farms through woodland to
mountain areas above the tree line with each species having a distinctive
habitat.
1)
Capercaillie
(Tetrao
urogallus)
The
largest game bird present in the UK.
A bird of the
Scottish coniferous woods
the Capercaillie is shy in nature but is very noisy when disturbed from its
cover. The mating display of the males is particularly noteworthy.
2)
Black grouse (Lyrurus
tetrix)
Once
common on moorland the black grouse is now relatively rare in the UK.
The male is known as the Blackcock and the female as the Greyhen. It is
significantly larger than the red grouse. The mating display of the males occurs
each year on tradition areas known as leks. The display dance is notable for the
fanned tail and puffed out feathers of the male.
3)
Red grouse (Lagopus
lagopus)
Found
on heather clad moorland of northern Great Britain, it is only really numerous
where heather is actively managed for it. Heather management is also beneficial
to many other species of bird that are more numerous on grouse moors than on
similar unmanaged land. The Red Grouse depends on heather for food and is
particularly sensitive to environmental changes.
4)
Grey partridge (Perdix
perdix)
The
native partridge of Britain and Ireland.
It is found on agricultural land but
numbers have recently declined and this is blamed on intensive agriculture
and the use of pesticides as insects are important in the diet of the chicks. In
winter it is found in family groups or coveys. Many of the birds now found in
the UK are reared commercially and released into shooting areas.
5)
Red-legged partridge (Alectoris
rufa)
 This
is an introduced species into Britain.
In many places it is more common than the
native grey partridge. It is larger than the grey partridge and as its diet is
largely vegetable matter it thrives better in areas of intensive agriculture. As
with the grey partridge it is found in coveys in winter time and many birds are
commercially reared and released into shooting areas each year.
6)
Pheasant (Phasianus
colchicus)
 The
pheasant is common throughout the British Isles.
It is thought to have been introduced by
the Romans but now breeds freely in the wild. There are numerous strains present
in the country, all of which can freely interbreed. It inhabits open farmland
and woods and may also be found on the outskirts of many large towns if open
land is available. At night the birds roost in trees for protection from
predators. Diet consists of both vegetable matter and insects. Birds may be
artificially reared for release in shooting areas.
7)
Ptarmigan (Lagopus
mutus)
Found
in mountainous areas of Scotland usually above the tree line. Both sexes are
white in winter when the birds may be found in small flocks. The red wattle
distinguishes the male from the female in summer.
8)
Quail (Coturnix
coturnix)
Wild
quail are rare in the UK. They are the smallest of the game birds present in the
country and are found on open grassland. They tend to hide rather than flee if
disturbed and birds are usually solitary in nature.
|
