Scientific Name: Alectoris chukar pallescens
Place: Darbuk, Ladakh Range, Jammu and Kashmir, IndiaChukar Partridges are dwellers of higher ridges of north-west Himalayas and Karakoram-Hindkush mountain ranges of India and Pakistan. They generally come down to comparatively lower altitudes during the winter months and move up during onset of spring-summer.
During the maiden trip of GoingWild at Ladakh in 2013, we started our journey from Manali. In this birding cum bird photography trip two participants from Karnataka and one from West Bengal joined us. The outcome of this birding and bird photography trip was 68 birds amongst which most of them are endemic to this region (only considering oriental zoogeographic region). For say, Black-necked Crane, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Tibetan Snowfinch etc. has been spotted.
On 6th birding day, after having stomach full of breakfast, we checked out from Leh and started moving towards Tso Pangong Lake. On the way, as planned we got down from car and spent 4 fruitful birding hours. At around 7AM, a flock of Chukar partridge was seen, roosting high above 100' ft from the road where we stood. One by one every participant crawled up and photographed the national of Pakistan.
 |
| Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar pallescens) | 17.08.2013 | Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India © Dibyendu Ash @ 2013 |
In India, the national bird is Peacock (or Indian Peafowl) and in Pakistan, Chukar is the national bird. We were overwhelmed to photograph the beauties playing hide and seek with us in juniper bushes. Since, Galliformes are very skittish in nature, so as Chukar; thus when we photographed it, we really had some beautiful moments to cherish.
On 18th of August '15 also, we saw a flock consisting of parents with four chicks. It happen all on a sudden when we were taking images of Tibetan Snowfinch around 12:30PM of that afternoon. The flock crossed the road and our driver Nawang yelled at us - 'Chukar, sir Chukar'. By that time the flock had moved down from the road followed by a deep trench. Taking photograph of that was also challenging since all of them were against sunlight. Thus in all images we had to fight against harsh lighting condition. Still I managed to have a frame comprising of an adult Chukar with its chick.
Seeing a Chukar Partridge in wild is not that tough, but moments become unforgettable when one experiences something additional. Thus the sighting of Chukar Partridge with its chicks is no doubt a memory to cherish!
Ladakh region and its adjacent area - Nubra, Diskit, Hemis NP are very rich in biodiversity. To do birding, bird photography or for other lesser known mammals one can get in touch with GoingWild!
Hope you have enjoyed it! To receive further updates on other birding events and sightings, be a Birding India follower (See right side bar).
On 18th of August '15 also, we saw a flock consisting of parents with four chicks. It happen all on a sudden when we were taking images of Tibetan Snowfinch around 12:30PM of that afternoon. The flock crossed the road and our driver Nawang yelled at us - 'Chukar, sir Chukar'. By that time the flock had moved down from the road followed by a deep trench. Taking photograph of that was also challenging since all of them were against sunlight. Thus in all images we had to fight against harsh lighting condition. Still I managed to have a frame comprising of an adult Chukar with its chick.
 |
Chukar with its chick (Just a record image) | 18.08.2013 | Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
© Dibyendu Ash @ 2013 |
Ladakh region and its adjacent area - Nubra, Diskit, Hemis NP are very rich in biodiversity. To do birding, bird photography or for other lesser known mammals one can get in touch with GoingWild!
Hope you have enjoyed it! To receive further updates on other birding events and sightings, be a Birding India follower (See right side bar).
Hi,
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, really informative!
have you ever heard about My National Stuff? you have probably seen our Articles all over the place we have launched our site National bird of Pakistan Chukar where we post informative Articles. we would be stocked if you could add us to this list.
Thanks, Keep Sharing with us.