General Description: Chukar (Alectoris chukar) are gray-brown ground birds (pheasants) that would rather run than fly. Chukar have a white face outlined in black and several vertical, black-and-white bars on the sides. The bill and eye-ring are red.
Taxonomy: Galliformes, Phasianidae, Phasianinae
Favored Habitat: Desert scrub, brushy areas.
Where to Find: Around Las Vegas, Chukar are fairly easy to hear and see at a distance (ask hunters!) in mountainous areas at middle and lower elevations, but they are hard to see up close. However, they become habituated to humans and are fairly easy to see in picnic areas at Red Rock Canyon NCA. Check the Willow Springs and Calico Basin picnic areas for this species. |