{"id":1453,"date":"2011-02-25T13:28:47","date_gmt":"2011-02-25T20:28:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/featheredphotography.wordpress.com\/?p=1453"},"modified":"2011-05-30T07:08:12","modified_gmt":"2011-05-30T13:08:12","slug":"chukars-of-antelope-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/2011\/02\/25\/chukars-of-antelope-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Chukars of Antelope Island"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0The Chukar,\u00a0also known as the Chukar Partridge,\u00a0is a species first introduced into North America from India in 1893.\u00a0 Since then they have flourished, particularly in the Great Basin of the American west where the largely feed on the seeds and leaves of cheat grass.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake provides perfect habitat for them and they abound there.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Chukar<\/p>\n

Chukar calling<\/em><\/p>\n

In the springtime there are times\u00a0when the hillsides sound like the island has been overrun by domestic chickens from\u00a0the calling of the Chukars.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Preening<\/p>\n

Preening on a rock perch<\/em><\/p>\n

Chukars\u00a0are very prone to perch on rocks – especially in the spring.\u00a0 While there they call to other birds and preen.\u00a0 Sentinel birds of a flock also prefer\u00a0elevated perches while on lookout, which\u00a0of course is ideal for the bird photographer.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Parent<\/p>\n

Parent with chicks<\/em><\/p>\n

And here’s one of the reasons there’s so many Chukars on Antelope Island – the breed prodigiously.\u00a0 Clutch size can be up to 21 eggs!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Chukar<\/p>\n

Chukar\u00a0covey on boulder<\/em><\/p>\n

In late summer and fall Chukars\u00a0often congregate in large groups.\u00a0 These coveys tend to consist of adults and their offspring but several family\u00a0groups may mix together.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Preparing<\/p>\n

Preparing to jump off the rock<\/em><\/p>\n

Like some other upland game birds, Chukars are often reluctant to fly.\u00a0 They will typically jump down from their perch and scurry through the vegetation to hide.\u00a0 They are very fast runners and easily outrun a human on foot.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Rock<\/p>\n

Rock hopping<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

I’m often tempted to call these birds “rockhoppers” because of their tendency to hop from rock to rock, typically without even opening their wings in the process.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"All<\/p>\n

\u00a0All fluffed up<\/em><\/p>\n

I think Chukars are unusually handsome birds and I enjoy photographing them.\u00a0 Photographers should note that they are most easily approached in the springtime when paired up and more reluctant to leave their mate.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ron<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0The Chukar,\u00a0also known as the Chukar Partridge,\u00a0is a species first introduced into North America from India in 1893.\u00a0 Since then they have flourished, particularly in the Great Basin of the American west where the largely feed on the seeds and leaves of cheat grass.\u00a0 Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake provides perfect habitat for them and they abound there.\u00a0 \u00a0 Chukar calling In the springtime there are times\u00a0when the hillsides sound like the island has been overrun by domestic chickens from\u00a0the calling of the Chukars.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Preening on a rock perch Chukars\u00a0are very prone to perch on rocks – especially in the spring.\u00a0 While there they call to other birds and preen.\u00a0 Sentinel birds of a flock also prefer\u00a0elevated perches while on lookout, which\u00a0of course is ideal for the bird photographer.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Parent with chicks And here’s one of the reasons there’s so many Chukars on Antelope Island – the breed prodigiously.\u00a0 Clutch size can be up to 21 eggs! \u00a0 \u00a0 Chukar\u00a0covey on boulder In late summer and fall Chukars\u00a0often congregate in large groups.\u00a0 These coveys tend to consist of adults and their offspring but several family\u00a0groups may mix together.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Preparing to jump off the rock Like some other upland game birds, Chukars are often reluctant to fly.\u00a0 They will typically jump down from their perch and scurry through the vegetation to hide.\u00a0 They are very fast runners and easily outrun a human on foot.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Rock hopping\u00a0 I’m often tempted to call these birds “rockhoppers” because of their tendency…<\/p>\n

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