Diet of Pyrenean Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix hispaniensis) broods in the eastern French Pyrenees.

Abstract

We studied the diet of Pyrenean grey partridge, Perdix perdix hispaniensis, broods (n = 9) and adult hens (n = 6) inhabiting upland (1,800-2,270 m) in the Eastern French Pyrenees in July-August 1996 and 1997. We collected 5 faecal samples from broods of less than seven days (one week) old, 8 from broods of 2-6-weeks old and 7 from adult hens. More vegetation (surface measures) occurred in samples from older chicks (37 % vs 23 %, p = 0.03). No significant difference in the relative selection of four invertebrate groups (Formicidae adults, Coleoptera, Orthoptera and 'others', in numbers of individuals) was found between broods of different ages. Formicidae adults were dominant (about 73 %), followed by Coleoptera (6.3-10.9 %) and Acrididae (3.8-10.5 %). By comparing the proportions of invertebrate groups in the chick's diet to those in catches obtained by trapping, we found that chicks selected Orthoptera and Coleoptera insects, but this may also be due to a low sampling efficiency of the traps. These results confirm that insects are important for Pyrenean grey partridges as well as for lowland grey partridges and that Acrididae (because of their size) and Formicidae and Curculionidae (because of their numbers) are likely important food items.