The Rock Partridge

According to Marcel Pagnol, The Rock Partridge is the queen of the partridges, as mentioned in his book "My father’s glory"!

However, far from the mediterranean hinterland, it thrives in open and rocky mountain environments between 1000m and 3000m of altitude all over south-eastern Europe, from the Alps to the Balkans!

It is the largest of the partridges. What's interesting though, is that both roosters and hens look alike: red legs and beak and a white neck lined with a well-designed black collar. These birds are social creatures: they prefer to flock together, except during the breeding season.