Hello, stranger...

This is a Chukar Partridge. It startled me because it is such a large bird (chicken sized) and we don't get large birds at our feeder. At first I thought it was a Common Pheasant but Edward looked it up and found it to be a Chukar Partridge common to Eurasia and south Asia but introduced to North American in the US southwest. Either this bird was way off course or, more likely, it is an escapee from a flock introduced locally for game hunting. Nice to see this special guest. Be safe!

Back-blipped 20 March 2011.