Partridges rare in Irish pear trees

PARTRIDGES, as everybody knows, frequent pear trees during Christmas, although no self-respecting one would be seen dead in a tree at other times of the year.

Being the first item in the well-known song has turned this shy bird into a festive celebrity. The carol, I am told, celebrates Catholic doctrines which it was forbidden to proclaim openly in fiercely Protestant England. The partridge in the tree represents Christ on the cross. As the great solstice holiday approaches, it’s worth reflecting on the plight of this neglected bird, the history of which in Ireland up to now has been so depressing. So what are its prospects for the future? Happily, thanks to work being done in Co Offaly, they are greatly improved.

Although few people see one nowadays, the partridge is a native Irish bird. It’s ancestors probably arrived here soon after the last Ice Age. The female resembles a tiny dumpy hen pheasant without the long tail. Males have lovely grey breasts, black bellies, dark brown side-stripes and orange faces. Gregarious birds, partridges live in extended family groups known as “coveys”. They have the distinction of producing the largest clutch of any bird – up to 29 eggs have been recorded. Some eastern European partridges migrate, but our birds don’t. Nor do birds visit us from abroad.