Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Differences in mortality rates, dispersal distances and breeding success of commercially reared and wild grey partridges in the Czech agricultural landscape

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Wildlife Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of releasing commercially reared individuals of the grey partridge (Perdix perdix) as a method for species recovery. This study compares the mortality risk of grey partridges depending on origin, sex and body condition, controlling for age, infection risk and release method. In total, 110 locally caught wild individuals and 75 commercially reared game-farm partridges were released and radio tracked within the same study area in the Czech Republic between 2009 and 2011. To exclude a possible effect of age on survival, only individuals in the second calendar year of life were chosen for the analysis. Commercially reared partridges had significantly higher mortality risk than wild ones. None of the commercially reared birds survived in the wild until the end of the nesting period, and none produced a fledged brood. Females from game farms showed significantly better survival than males and preferred to mate with wild males, whereas wild females avoided mating with commercially reared males. Predation was the main cause of mortality, and proportion of birds killed by raptors and mammals did not differ between wild and commercially reared birds. These results highlight the uselessness of releasing adult commercially reared partridges in an effort to establish viable populations of this species in the wild and stress the need for a change from intensive rearing methods aimed predominantly at quantity towards a more conservation breeding-oriented approach aimed at quality.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alonso ME, Pérez JA, Gaudioso VR, Diéz C, Prieto R (2005) Study of survival, dispersal and home range of autumn-released red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa). Br Poult Sci 46(4):401–406

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bagliacca M, Profumo A, Ambrogi C, Leotta R, Paci G (2004) Egg-laying differences in two grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.) lines subject to different breeding technology: artificial egg hatch or mother egg hatch. Eur J Wildl Res 50:133–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Beani L, Dessì-Fulgheri F (1995) Mate choice in the grey partridge, Perdix perdix: role of physical and behavioural male traits. Anim Behav 49:347–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beani L, Dessì-Fulgheri F (1998) Anti-predator behaviour of captive grey partridge (Perdix perdix). Ethol Ecol Evol 10:185–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birkan M (1977) Lâchers de perdrix grises d’élevage, Perdix perdix, valeur pour repeuplement. I. Les lâchers de jeunes perdrix en été. Bull Mens de l’Off Natl Chass Numero Spéc Sci Tech 3:47–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Birkan M, Damange JP (1977) Lâchers de perdrix grises d’élevage, Perdix perdix, valeur pour repeuplement. II. Les lâchers de subadultes en novembre–décembre et d’adultes en mars. Bull Mens de l’Off Natl Chass Numero Spéc Sci Tech 3:84–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanco-Aguiar JA, González-Jara P, Ferrero ME, Sánchez-Barbudo I, Virgós E, Villafuerte R, Dávila JA (2008) Assessment of game restocking contributions to anthropogenic hybridization: the case of the Iberian red-legged partridge. Anim Conserv 11(6):535–545

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bro E, Clobert J, Reitz F (1999) Effects of radiotransmitters on survival and reproductive success of gray partridge. J Wildl Manag 63(3):1044–1051

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bro E, Reitz F, Clobert J, Migot P, Massot M (2001) Diagnosing the environmental causes of the decline in grey partridge Perdix perdix survival in France. Ibis 143:120–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown JL (1997) A theory of mate choice based on heterozygosity. Behav Ecol 8(1):60–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown R, Ferguson J, Lawrence M, Lees D (2003) Tracks and signs of the birds of Britain and Europe. Christopher Helm, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Browne SJ, Aebischer NJ, Moreby SJ, Teague L (2005) The diet and disease susceptibility of grey partridges Perdix perdix on arable farmland in East Anglia, England. Wildl Biol 12:3–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Browne SJ, Buner F, Aebischer NJ (2009) A review of gray partridge restocking in the UK and its implications for the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In: Cederbaum SB, Faircloth BC, Terhune TM, Thompson JJ, Carroll JP (eds) Gamebird 2006: Quail VI and Perdix XII. 31 May–4 June 2006. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, pp 380–390

    Google Scholar 

  • Buner F, Schaub M (2008) How do different releasing techniques affect the survival of reintroduced grey partridges Perdix perdix? Wildl Biol 14:26–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buner F, Jenny M, Zbinden M, Naef-Daenzer B (2005) Ecologically enhanced areas—a key habitat structure for re-introduced grey partridges Perdix perdix. Biol Conserv 124:373–381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buner FD, Browne SJ, Aebischer NJ (2011) Experimental assessment of release methods for the re-establishment of a red-listed galliform, the grey partridge (Perdix perdix). Biol Conserv 144:593–601

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll JP (1990) Winter and spring survival of radio-tagged gray partridge in North Dakota. J Wildl Manag 54(4):657–662

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Čech L, Šumpich J, Zabloudil V (2002) Jihlavsko. In: Mackovčin P, Sedláček M (eds) Chráněná území ČR, sv. VII. Agentura ochrany přírody a krajiny ČR a EkoCentrum Brno, Praha

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahlgren J (1990) Females choose vigilant males: an experiment with monogamous grey partridge, Perdix perdix. Anim Behav 39:646–651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowell SD (1992) Problems and pitfalls of gamebird reintroduction and restocking: an overview. Gibier Faune Sauvage 9:773–780

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer J, Lindenmayer DB (2000) An assessment of the published results of animal relocations. Biol Conserv 96:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frankham R (2008) Genetic adaptation to captivity in species conservation programs. Mol Ecol 17:325–333

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fusani L, Beani L, Lupo C, Dessì-Fulgheri F (1997) Sexually selected vigilance behaviour of the grey partridge is affected by plasma androgen levels. Anim Behav 54:1013–1018

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gaudioso VR, Sánchez-García C, Pérez JA, Rodríguez PL, Armenteros JA, Alonso ME (2011) Does early antipredator training increase the suitability of captive red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) for releasing? Poult Sci 90(9):1900–1908

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Glutz von Blotzheim UN, Bauer KM (1994) Handbuch der Vögel Mitteleuropas, Bd 5, Galliformes und Gruiformes. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  • Gortázar C, Villafuerte R, Martín M (2000) Success of traditional restocking of red-legged partridge for hunting purposes in areas of low density of northeast Spain Aragón. Z Jagdwiss 46:23–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffin AS, Blumstein DT, Evans CS (2000) Training captive-bred or translocated animals to avoid predators. Conserv Biol 5:1317–1326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffith B, Scott JM, Carpenter JW, Reed C (1989) Translocation as a species conservation tool: status and strategy. Science 245:477–480

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hess MF, Silvy NJ, Griffin CP, Lopez RR, Davis DS (2005) Differences in flight characteristics of pen-reared and wild prairie-chickens. J Wildl Manag 69(2):650–654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houston AI, McNamara JM, Hutchinson JMC (1993) General results concerning the trade-off between gaining energy and avoiding predation. Phil Trans R Soc Lond B 341(1298):375–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins D (1961) Social behaviour in the partridge Perdix perdix. Ibis 103(2):155–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Kokeš O, Knobloch E (1947) Koroptev: její život, chov a lov. Nakl. Stud. knihtisk v Praze, Praha

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuijper DPJ, Oosterveld E, Wymenga E (2009) Decline and potential recovery of the European grey partridge (Perdix perdix) population—a review. Eur J Wildl Res 55:455–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leopold AS (1944) The nature of heritable wildness in turkeys. Condor 46:133–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liukkonen-Anttila T, Putaala A, Hissa R (1999) Does shifting from a commercial to a natural diet affect the nutritional status of hand-reared grey partridges Perdix perdix? Wildl Biol 5:147–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Liukkonen-Anttila T, Saartoala R, Hissa R (2000) Impact of hand-rearing on morphology and physiology of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus). Comp Biochem Physiol A 125:211–221

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liukkonen-Anttila T, Uimaniemi L, Orell M, Lumme J (2002) Mitochondrial DNA variation and the phylogeography of the grey partridge (Perdix perdix) in Europe: from Pleistocene history to present day populations. J Evol Biol 15(6):971–982

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lockwood MA, Griffin CP, Morrow ME, Randel CJ, Silvy NJ (2005) Survival, movements, and reproduction of released captive-reared Attwater’s prairie-chicken. J Wildl Manag 69(3):1251–1258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez-Abraín A, Regan HM, Viedma C, Villuendas E, Bartolomé MA, Gómez JA, Oro D (2011) Cost-effectiveness of translocation options for a threatened waterbird. Conserv Biol 25(4):726–735

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meriggi A, Mazzoni della Stella R (2004) Dynamics of a reintroduced population of red-legged partridges Alectoris rufa in central Italy. Wildl Biol 9:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Meriggi A, Brangi A, Cuccus P, Mazzoni della Stella R (2002) High mortality rate in a re-introduced grey partridge population in central Italy. Ital J Zool 69:19–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meriggi A, Mazzoni della Stella R, Brangi A, Ferloni M, Masseroni E, Merli E, Pompilio L (2007) The reintroduction of grey and red-legged partridges (Perdix perdix and Alectoris rufa) in central Italy: a metapopulation approach. Ital J Zool 74(3):215–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millán J, Gortázar C, Buenestado FJ, Rodríguez P, Tortosa FS, Villafuerte R (2003) Effects of fiber-rich diet on physiology and survival of farm-reared red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa). Comp Biochem Physiol A 134:85–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parish DMB, Sotherton NW (2007) The fate of released captive-reared grey partridges Perdix perdix: implications for reintroduction programmes. Wildl Biol 13:140–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perez RM, Wilson DE, Gruen KD (2002) Survival and flight characteristics of captive-reared and wild northern bobwhite in southern Texas. In: DeMaso SJ, Kuvleksy WP, Hernández F, Berger ME (eds) Quail V: Proceedings of the Fifth National Quail Symposium. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin, pp 81–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Pérez JA, Alonso ME, Gaudioso VR, Olmedo JA, Díez C, Bartolomé D (2004) Use of radiotracking techniques to study a summer repopulation with red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) chicks. Poult Sci 83:882–888

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pérez JA, Alonso ME, Prieto R, Bartolomé D, Gaudioso DVR (2010) Influence of the breeding system on the escape response of red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa). Poult Sci 89:5–12

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pintíř J, Šálek M, Marhoul P (2000) Analýza predačního tlaku na divokou a uměle odchovanou populaci koroptve polní (Perdix perdix) v pokusné lokalitě Praha - Stodůlky. Sborník referátů z konference Predátoři v myslivosti 2000:156–161

  • Potts GR (1980) The effects of modern agriculture, nest predation and game management on the population ecology of partridges Perdix perdix and Alectoris rufa. Adv Ecol Res 11:1–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potts GR (1986) The partridge: pesticides, predation and conservation. Collins, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Price EO (1999) Behavioral development in animals undergoing domestication. Appl Anim Behav Sci 65:245–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Putaala A, Hissa R (1995) Effects of hand-rearing on physiology and anatomy in the grey partridge. Wildl Biol 1:27–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Putaala A, Hissa R (1998) Breeding dispersal and demography of wild and hand-reared grey partridges Perdix perdix in Finland. Wildl Biol 4:137–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Putaala A, Oksa J, Rintamäki H, Hissa R (1997) Effects of hand-rearing and radiotransmitters on flight of gray partridge. J Wildl Manag 61(4):1345–1351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Putaala A, Turtola A, Hissa R (2001) Mortality of wild and released hand-reared grey partridges (Perdix perdix) in Finland. Game Wildl Sci 18:291–304

    Google Scholar 

  • Rantanen EM, Buner F, Riordan P, Sotherton N, Macdonald DW (2010a) Habitat preferences and survival in wildlife reintroductions: an ecological trap in reintroduced grey partridges. J Appl Ecol 47:1357–1364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rantanen EM, Buner F, Riordan P, Sotherton N, Macdonald DW (2010b) Vigilance, time budgets and predation risk in reintroduced captive-bred grey partridges. Appl Anim Behav Sci 127:43–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson PA (1988) The survival of released pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in Ireland. J Zool 214:683–695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson RA, Kew JJ, Kew AJ (2010) Survival of suburban blackbirds Turdus merula varies seasonally but not by sex. J Avian Biol 41:83–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rymešová D, Šmilauer P, Šálek M (2012) Sex- and age-biased mortality in wild grey partridge Perdix perdix populations. Ibis (in press)

  • Šálek M, Marhoul P, Pintíř J (2002) Pairing rate, sex ratio and age structure of a grey partridge (Perdix perdix) population in Prague, February 2000–2002. Sylvia 38:17–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-García C, Alonso ME, Pérez JA, Rodríguez PL, Gaudioso VR (2011) Comparing fostering success between wild-caught and game farm bred captive red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa, L.). Appl Anim Behav Sci 133:70–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sekera J (1941) Vysazování komorovaných koroptví. Knižnice Výzk Úst Lesn 3:1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Simberloff D (1996) Hybridization between native and introduced wildlife species: importance for conservation. Wildl Biol 2:143–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Sirot E, Pays O (2011) On the dynamics of predation risk perception for a vigilant forager. J Theor Biol 276:1–7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Snyder NFR, Derrickson SR, Beissinger SR, Wiley JW, Smith TB, Toone WD, Miller B (1996) Limitations of captive breeding in endangered species recovery. Conserv Biol 10(2):338–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sokos CK, Birtsas PK, Tsachalidis EP (2008) The aims of gallifoms release and choice of techniques. Wildl Biol 14:412–422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Šťastný K, Bejček V, Hudec K (2006) Atlas hnízdního rozšíření ptáků v České republice 2001–2003. Aventinum, Prague

    Google Scholar 

  • ten Cate C, Vos DR (1999) Sexual imprinting and evolutionary processes in birds: a reassessment. Adv Stud Behav 28:1–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terhune TM, Sisson DC, Stribling HL (2006) The efficacy of relocating wild northern bobwhites prior to breeding season. J Wildl Manag 70(4):914–921

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tregenza T, Wedell N (2000) Genetic compatibility, mate choice and patterns of parentage: invited review. Mol Ecol 9:1013–1027

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watson M, Aebischer NJ, Cresswell W (2007a) Vigilance and fitness in grey partridges Perdix perdix: the effects of group size and foraging-vigilance trade-offs on predation mortality. J Anim Ecol 76:211–221

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watson M, Aebischer NJ, Potts GR, Ewald JA (2007b) The relative effects of raptor predation and shooting on overwinter mortality of grey partridge in the United Kingdom. J Appl Ecol 44:972–982

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf CM, Griffith B, Reed C, Temple SA (1996) Avian and mammalian translocations: update and reanalysis of 1987 survey data. Conserv Biol 10(4):1142–1154

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the Czech Science Foundation within the project Components of sexual selection in the monogamous grey partridge (GA206/08/1281). We thank our colleagues Růžičková O., Černý M., Černý P., Holomek S., Adámková M., Albrecht T. and others for field assistance and all the reviewers for their useful comments. We are very grateful to the members of Hunting Club Borovina Vidonín, especially Holý J., Jobánek P. and Jobánková P. for providing their facilities. We thank all the reviewers for useful comments which improved the text.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic

    D. Rymešová

  2. Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 1176, 165 21, Prague 6, Czech Republic

    D. Rymešová & M. Šálek

  3. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic

    O. Tomášek

  4. Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic

    O. Tomášek

Authors
  1. D. Rymešová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. O. Tomášek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Šálek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Rymešová.

Additional information

Communicated by P. Acevedo

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rymešová, D., Tomášek, O. & Šálek, M. Differences in mortality rates, dispersal distances and breeding success of commercially reared and wild grey partridges in the Czech agricultural landscape. Eur J Wildl Res 59, 147–158 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-012-0659-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-012-0659-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation