Red-legged partridges are colourful game birds that were originally introduced to the UK by Charles II way back in the 1600's. He brought them over from France for shooting practice, (hence the alternative name of French hen). The partridges obviously didn't like the idea at all and don't seem to have grasped the concept of being a game bird. Shooters consider them to be something of a disappointment as they are very reluctant to fly, preferring to keep their heads down and run off into any available cover.

Another unusual aspect of the red-legged partridge is its nesting behaviour. A female may build two nests and lay a clutch of eggs in both. When this happens both adults of a pair of red-legged partridges will independently raise a brood each.