Chukar

Have you ever seen one of these bird around here in Crawford County? Well, if you have...it doesn't belong here. The birds are native to Asia and the Middle East and have been introduced to the States by hunters, however, they prefer dry and hilly regions, so the majority of them are located out in the West.

So, imagine my surprise when I see one sitting on the side of the road, out by the Manistee River. My guess would be that someone raised it and let it go or it got away from a game reserve somewhere.

I have seen ring necks around here that people have raised and let go and there is a breeding population of peacocks in the south end of the county, but it is rare to see birds like this around.

I wonder how they taste?