Today, however, gray partridge is the scientifically correct name. The gray partridge, like the bobwhite quail, forms coveys from early fall through winter. Identification Gray partridge are wary, compact, heavily feathered, quail-like gamebirds. Their bodies are generally gray-brown in color with russet barring on the flanks and cinnamon markings on the face and head. Russet tail feathers provide an excellent field mark for birds observed in flight.
Sexes are very similar in appearance.
Birds in hand can be sexed by the scapular and median wing coverts, with the male having a single median buff stripe and the female having a wider buff stripe with two to four cross bars. Also the crown feathers on males have a narrow median stripe, whereas in females the stripe expands to form a teardrop. While this patch is most common on males, it is often found on females and is occasionally absent on males. Neither sex has spurs. Adult gray partridge are intermediate in size, between bobwhite quail and ring-necked pheasants.