Department of Zoology

Habitat and Distribution

Chakor is found in rocky hills, grasslands, and mountainous regions. It is widely distributed across Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Central Asia, and the Middle East. In Pakistan, it is commonly seen in northern and western mountainous areas.

Description

Chakor is a medium-sized game bird with a light grey-brown body, white throat, black band running through the eyes and around the neck, and distinctive black-and-white bars on its sides. It has red legs and a red beak. Adult birds are about 32–35 cm long.

Diet:

Chakors are omnivorous birds. Their diet mainly consists of seeds, grains, leaves, grasses, berries, and insects. They forage on the ground, especially during the early morning and evening.

Interesting facts:

Chakor is the National Bird of Pakistan.

• It is famous in South Asian folklore and poetry.
• Chakor birds are known for their strong running ability on steep rocky slopes.
• They usually live in small groups called coveys.
• During breeding season, males produce loud, repeated calls.

IUCN Status:

Least Concern (LC) Major Threats:

• Habitat degradation
• Excessive hunting and trapping
• Human disturbance
• Climate change affecting food and water availability

Conservative Strategies:

• Protect natural habitats and breeding grounds.
• Regulate hunting activities.
• Increase public awareness about wildlife conservation.
• Establish protected areas in mountainous regions.
• Conduct research and monitoring programs to track populations.

   Details   

Contact Us:

Samia Azad
Curator
Department of Zoology
GC University, Lahore
UAN: +92 (42) 111-000-010 Ext: 322
EMAIL: curator.zoology@gcu.edu.pk