Editing Partridge (section)

{{Short description|Common name for a type of bird}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect|Heathcock}}
{{Paraphyletic group
| auto              = yes
| name              = Partridge
| image             = CRESTED WOOD-PARTRIDGE (7181284331).jpg
| image_caption     = [[Crested wood partridge]] <br /> (''Rollulus rouloul'')
| parent            = Phasianidae
| includes        = * [[Perdicinae]] (former)
* [[Rollulinae]], [[Phasianinae]], and [[Pavoninae]] (current)
''[[Alectoris]]''<br/>
''[[Ammoperdix]]''<br/>
''[[Arborophila]]''<br/>
''[[Bambusicola]]''<br/>
''[[Haematortyx]]''<br/>
''[[Lerwa]]''<br/>
''[[Margaroperdix]]''<br/>
''[[Melanoperdix]]''<br/>
''[[Perdix]]''<br/>
''[[Rhizothera]]''<br/>
''[[Rollulus]]''<br/>
''[[Tetraophasis]]''<br/>
''[[Xenoperdix]]''
}}

A '''partridge''' is a medium-sized [[Galliformes|galliform]] bird in any of several genera, with a wide [[Indigenous (ecology)|native distribution]] throughout parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Several species have been introduced to the Americas. They are sometimes grouped in the [[Perdicinae]] subfamily of the [[Phasianidae]] (pheasants, quail, etc.). However, molecular research suggests that partridges are not a distinct [[taxon]] within the family Phasianidae, but that some species are closer to the [[pheasant]]s, while others are closer to the [[junglefowl]].<ref name="SCIDIR">{{cite journal|title=Molecular phylogenetics and evolution: A molecular phylogeny of the pheasants and partridges|doi=10.1006/mpev.1998.0562|pmid=10082609|volume=11|issue=1|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|pages=38–54|year=1999|last1=Kimball|first1=R. T.|last2=Braun|first2=E. L.|last3=Zwartjes|first3=P. W.|last4=Crowe|first4=T. M.|last5=Ligon|first5=J. D.}}</ref>

[[File:Birds of Hindustan luchas, called būqalamūn, and partridges.jpg|thumb|228px|Birds of Persia luchas, called būqalamūn (بوقلمون turkey in Persian), and partridges]]
[[File:ZGvucdove.jpg|thumb|228px|upright|The so-called "[[Vučedol culture#The Vučedol dove|Vučedol dove]]", one of the most well-known emblems of the prehistorical [[Vučedol culture]], is now interpreted as representing a male partridge as a symbol of fertility]]