With the arrival of autumn, many hunters feel a special thrill: the season for one of the most emblematic prey in the Spanish countryside begins: the red-legged partridge.
This bird, imposing in its modesty, has become an icon of small game hunting due to its precision and beauty. But it is also, today, a vulnerable species that requires a balance between hunting passion and conservation.
History and characteristics of the bird
Alectoris rufa, native to western Europe, is notable for its reddish-brown plumage, white throat framed by a black collar, bright red legs and beak, and a compact body measuring between 34 and 38 cm in length and weighing 400 to 480 g. Sexual dimorphism can be seen, for example, in the spur >8.6 mm in males compared to <8.4 mm in females.
Its ideal habitat consists of low-intensity agricultural areas, scrubland and ecotones, with some cover and natural shelter. Its diet varies according to age: adults are mainly granivorous, while chicks include insects and small invertebrates that are essential to their diet.
Conservation status
The red-legged partridge is listed as Vulnerable (VU) in the 2021 Red Book of Birds of Spain. It is estimated that, in the last two decades, its wild population has fallen by around 33%. The main reasons for this are habitat alterations due to agricultural intensification, pesticide use, loss of steppe areas and hybridisation with species such as the chukar partridge released into wild populations.
In response to this situation, initiatives such as the Rufa Project, promoted by the Artemisan Foundation, seek to manage hunting grounds and demonstration farms that combine sustainable agricultural practices and hunting practices compatible with conservation.
Closed season dates and current regulations
Hunting dates vary according to autonomous community and type of hunting. Below are some updated references:
- Andalusia (small game): from 6 October to 29 December 2025, including red-legged partridge.
- Castilla La Mancha: small game hunting from 8 October 2025 to 8 February 2026; decoy hunting: red-legged partridge from 23 January to 25 March (altitude > 800 m) and from 10 January to 20 February (regions < 800 m).
- Murcia: red-legged partridge drives from 12 October 2025 to 6 January 2026, every day.
- Other regions: there are specific regulations, which should always be checked in the local Closed Season Order.
Hunting methods and practices
Red-legged partridge hunting is mainly carried out by driven hunts, although it can also be practised with decoys under controlled conditions, especially in high altitude areas, according to specific regulations. Thus, the methods reflect respect for the environment and maintain the characteristic challenge of this species.
Conservation and figures
Although exact census figures vary, recent reports highlight good breeding seasons. For example, there was a year in which there were twice as many young birds as adults in censuses carried out in 14 autonomous communities. This indicates that proper management can promote population recovery.
A story of hunting and responsibility
The red-legged partridge hunter knows that he is not just looking for the elusive target; he cultivates a bond with the land, with strategy, with the hope of seeing this species reborn, just as he sees it reborn in the countryside after each successful laying. Hunting red-legged partridges is always an exercise in respect, tactics and empathy. Each shot requires the ability to read the landscape, understand the bird’s habits and value its conservation.