The Barbary Partridge

The Barbary Partridge is a resident breeding bird on the Rock of Gibraltar. This situation is unusual because the endemic partridge of south-western Europe is the Red-legged Partridge (below) which is not found on the Rock.

The partridge's situation is very similar to that of the Barbary Macaques that also live on the Rock (below).

In both cases the species, typical of North-west Africa, were introduced by British military personnel during the 18th Century.

At the time connection with the Spanish hinterland was severed by sieges and most supplies came in from "Barbary", the term given to the lands of North Africa on the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar. A Governor's Order of 1749, for example, authorised the importation of game from Barbary. The partridges were released for hunting purposes in all likelihood and a feral population was established.

These, now wild, birds roam areas of rocky, open, vegetation in different parts of the Rock

Gibraltar is the only place in mainland Europe where this beautiful species breeds.