The chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) is a striking gamebird with a controversial name. Known for its speedy flight through mountainous terrain, this bird is nicknamed the “devil bird” in parts of its range. But why is this medium-sized partridge saddled with such a sinister moniker?
The chukar partridge is a rotund gamebird in the pheasant family. It has a grayish body, barred black-and-white wings, a black band around its face, and a black-tipped red bill. The legs are yellow and unfeathered.
Chukars are found across parts of Eurasia and have been widely introduced in North America. They inhabit rocky, mountainous terrain and arid hillslopes. At high elevations, chukars take shelter under cliffs and rock overhangs.
These birds travel in coveys of 10-30 individuals. When flushed, they take off in a burst of rapid wingbeats and scatter in different directions. In flight, their wings make a distinct, repetitive whistling or chuckling sound.
Origin of “Devil Bird” Nickname
So how did the chukar end up with a name linked to sinister forces? To understand this, we need to explore how it gained that nickname in different parts of its range:
North America
In the western United States, the chukar is renowned for its speed, endurance, and ability to fly uphill. When flushed, it explodes into flight and angles steeply uphill. It can outclimb pursuing dogs and seems to defy gravity. This physics-defying flight bewildered early settlers and hunters. The chukar’s inexplicable upward flight was likened to a bird possessed by supernatural forces. Thus, it became nicknamed the “devil bird.”
Hawaii
In Hawaii, chukars were introduced as a gamebird in the late 19th century. Hunters found these birds incredibly challenging to shoot. When flushed, the birds would take off at breakneck speed, often flying uphill and scattering in every direction. To compound things, when cornered they would burst into flight from below cliffs or rock overhangs. Their ability to escape and avoid bullets furthered their “devil bird” image in Hawaii.
Pakistan
In parts of Pakistan, legend says the chukar is a cursed bird. As the story goes, a spiteful person once invoked the devil to curse this bird. This condemned it to fly constantly without rest. According to folklore, Allah allowed the devil to grant this curse. But there was one caveat: the cursed bird must always remain in the mountains away from human settlements. This legend may have contributed to the “devil bird” moniker in Pakistan.
Theories on the “Devil Bird” Nickname
Beyond regional legends and hunting lore, theories abound on why this bird gained such a sinister nickname. Here are some of the top theories:
Rapid Flight
The chukar has very rapid, powerful flight for a gamebird. When flushed, it explodes into flight and can quickly vanish over a ridge or mountainside. Early observers may have attributed this supernatural speed and endurance to demonic forces.
Unusual Vocalizations
The chukar has unusual vocalizations compared to other gamebirds. Its flight call is a repetitive, chuckling whistle. And during breeding displays, males make rapid wing-whirring sounds mixed with cackling. These odd sounds may have evoked the devil in the minds of early settlers and hunters.
Inhospitable Habitat
Chukars occupy rocky, inhospitable mountain terrain. They thrive in demonstrably rugged areas that humans tend to avoid. Their affinity for hot, dry, rocky slopes may have led some to believe these birds had an evil or sinister nature.
Difficult to Catch or Kill
From a hunter’s perspective, chukars are incredibly challenging to shoot or trap. Their speed, endurance, caution, and uphill escape tactics allow them to avoid bullets and traps. This intelligence and vigilance may have been misattributed to supernatural powers.
Annoying Calls at Daybreak
Chukars make loud, repetitive calls before dawn. For campers or settlers sleeping outdoors, this crack-of-dawn chorus could be annoying. Waking up to the bird’s incessant calls may have demonized the chukar in some people’s minds.
Competition with Quail
In parts of the U.S., chukars were introduced for hunting but compete with native quail. Some quail hunters viewed the non-native chukar as “evil” for reducing quail numbers. This led them to call chukars “devil birds.”
Breeding Disputes
Male chukars establish breeding territories on hillsides and mountain slopes. Disputes between males over territories and mates sometimes turn violent. Their aggressive nature during breeding disputes may have invoked their “devilish” reputation.
When Did Chukars Gain the Nickname?
It is unclear exactly when chukars first gained the “devil bird” moniker. The nickname seems to have emerged sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. During this period, chukars were widely introduced across the western U.S. Early American settlers and hunters seemed perplexed by the birds’ gravity-defying flight and odd vocalizations.
Some of the earliest written accounts referring to chukars as “devil birds” come from hunting literature in the 1920s and 1930s. For example, Corey Ford’s 1934 short story “The Devil Birds” portrays a hunting trip in the Rockies thwarted by these challenging birds.
The nickname seems to have solidified during the mid-20th century as chukars expanded their range across western North America. However, legends referring to chukars as cursed or possessed by the devil may date back much earlier in their native Eurasian range.
Modern Usage of the Nickname
While initially pejorative, the “devil bird” nickname is now often used in an affectionate or respectful manner. Chukar aficionados admire the bird’s athleticism, cunning, and determination. The nickname has morphed into a term of endearment.
Today, you will hear the “devil bird” nickname used in a variety of contexts:
- As a term of amusement by hunters reminiscing about tricky chukar hunts
- By wildlife agencies when referencing chukars’ habitat or mannerisms
- In a playful manner by birders when they spot or photograph chukars
- By conservation groups and bird enthusiasts to show admiration for the species
The “devil bird” epithet endures as an integral part of the chukar’s identity in North America. This nickname is intertwined with the chukar’s history on this continent, from initial introduction to the present day.
Conclusion
The chukar partridge earned the controversial “devil bird” sobriquet from the bewilderment of early settlers, hunters, and wildlife managers. Its gravity-defying flight, annoying vocalizations before dawn, and affinity for desolate, rugged mountains caused people to link it to sinister forces.
While initially a negative epithet, the nickname has morphed into an amusing and affectionate moniker for this challenging gamebird. The “devil bird” persona has become an integral part of the chukar’s identity in North America. This feisty bird continues to mesmerize and perplex, proudly wearing its contentious nickname.