The chukar (Alectoris chukar) is a non-native species of partridge introduced to North America back in the 1930s. Its natural range is from Israel up through India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Despite its fairly obscure existence in American culture, possibly due to the fact that pursuing this bird is in direct opposition to the increasing and defining laziness of American citizens (in general; is anyone really going to argue with me on this point?), the chukar inspires passion among those who like to hunt the bird and even serves as a sports mascot for a couple institutions in the intermountain west and the namesake for a candy maker. Below are some links to resources and other stuff involving this cool bird…
Links
- Wikipedia page on chukar
- Allaboutbirds.org: great sound file
- Idaho Fish & Game page on chukar hunting zones, etc.
- Utah Chukar & Wildlife Foundation: conservation organization similar to Ducks Unlimited
- Idaho Falls Chukars: minor league baseball team named after the bird
- Treasure Valley Community College: Ontario, Oregon community college mascot
- Chukar Cherries: a dried fruit and chocolate manufacturer in Washington
Publications
- Hunting Chukar, by Richard O’Toole (2003)
- A Chukar Hunter’s Companion, by Pat Wray (2003)
- Echoes on Rimrock: In Pursuit of the Chukar Partridge, by Buddy Levy (1999)