Chukar – Big Horn Golf and Country Club, BC

Two Chukars were feeding on the seed heads of long grass near the clubhouse at Bighorn Golf and Country Club. These striking partridges are native to Eurasia and were introduced to North America as game birds for recreational hunting. They have since established wild populations across the dry interior of British Columbia and much of the western United States. Chukars prefer rocky hillsides, open grasslands, and dry slopes, where they feed on seeds, grasses, and occasional insects. We watched the pair move through the tall grass, stretching upward to reach the ripening seed heads. Their red bills, bold black facial markings, and barred flanks make them unmistakable, even among dense vegetation. Interestingly, Chukars are strong runners and often prefer escaping uphill on foot rather than taking flight.