Game birds available from Castle Game Suffolk
English Partridge – Grey Partridge
The English partridge, more commonly known as the grey partridge (Perdix perdix), is a native game bird of the UK. These birds are stout, round-bodied, and renowned for their distinctive orange-brown face, grey chest, and a prominent dark chestnut horseshoe-shaped patch on the belly of the males. They are primarily ground-dwelling birds found in open lowland farmland and grassland habitats. They are also famous for being social, living in small groups called "coveys" outside of the breeding season.
French Partridge – red legged partridge
The French partridge, scientifically known as the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa), is an introduced species in the UK, originally brought over from continental Europe. This bird is larger than the native English grey partridge and is easily distinguished by its striking appearance. It has a white chin and throat bordered by a bold black necklace, intricate black and brown barring on its sides, and, as its name suggests, bright red legs and a red beak.
Unlike the English partridge, which prefers to fly when disturbed, the red-legged partridge has a notable preference for running. This adaptation makes it well-suited to the open farmland and scrubland habitats it now inhabits in England and parts of Wales and Scotland. It was first successfully introduced to the UK in the late 18th century for sporting purposes and has since become a widespread and important game bird. While its numbers are supplemented by annual releases for shooting, it has a stable population in the wild and has successfully naturalised across much of its range.
Pheasant
The common pheasant, a bird native to Asia, has a long and interesting history in Britain. It is widely believed that the Romans first introduced the bird to the British Isles, though its establishment as a widespread species is often credited to the Normans in the 11th century. For centuries, the pheasant was a symbol of status and privilege, with hunting reserved for the nobility and wealthy landowners. This historical association with the landed gentry cemented the pheasant's place as the country's most important sporting game bird, a role that continues to this day. The tradition of "driven shoots" and the management of land for this purpose have had a significant impact on the British countryside, shaping its landscape and economy.