The grey francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus) is a species of francolin found in the plains and drier parts

of the Indian subcontinent. This species was formerly also called the grey partridge, not to be confused
with the European grey partridge. They are found in open cultivated lands as well as scrub forest and
their local name of teetar is based on their calls, a loud and repeated Ka-tee-tar...tee-tar which is
produced by one or more birds. The term teetar can also refer to other partridges and quails. During the
breeding season calling males attract challengers, and decoys were used to trap these birds especially
for fighting

This bird is a medium-sized francolin, with males averaging 11.6–13.4 in (29–34 cm) and females
averaging 10.2–11.9 in (26–30 cm). The males weigh 9–12 oz (260–340 g) whereas the weight of the
females is 7–11 oz (200–310 g).[2] The francolin is barred throughout and the face is pale with a thin
black border to the pale throat. The only similar species is the painted francolin, which has a rufous vent.
The male can have up to two spurs on the legs while females usually lack them. Subspecies mecranensis
is palest and found in arid North-Western India, Eastern Pakistan and Southern Iran. Subspecies
interpositus is darker and intermediate found in northern India. The nominate race in the southern
peninsula of India has populations with a darker rufous throat, supercilium and is richer brown. They are
weak fliers and fly short distances, escaping into undergrowth after a few spurts of flight. [3] In flight it
shows a chestnut tail and dark primaries. [4] The race in Sri Lanka is sometimes given the name
ceylonensis or considered as belonging to the nominate.

The grey francolin is normally found foraging on bare or low grass covered ground in scrub and open
country, and is rarely found above an altitude of 500 m above sea level in India, and 1200 m in Pakistan.
The distribution is south of the foothills of the Himalayas westwards to the Indus Valley and eastwards
to Bengal. It is also found in north-western Sri Lanka. Introduced populations are found in the Andaman
and Chagos Islands.[4][8] They have been introduced to Nevada in the United States of America and
Hawaii, along with several other species of francolin.[

Behaviour and ecology

Sonogram of grey francolin's Call.

The loud calls of the birds are commonly heard early in the mornings. Pairs of birds will
sometimes engage in a duet. The female call is a tee...tee...tee repeated and sometimes a
kila..kila..kila and the challenge call kateela..kateela..kateela is a duet.[11] They are usually seen
in small groups.[4]
The main breeding season is April to September and the nest is a hidden scrape on the ground.[4]
The nest may sometimes be made above ground level in a niche in a wall or rock.[12] The clutch
is six to eight eggs, but larger clutches, potentially reflecting intraspecific brood parasitism, have
been noted.[13][14][15]

Food includes seeds, grains as well as insects, particularly termites[13] and beetles (especially
Tenebrionidae and Carabidae).[16] They may occasionally take larger prey such as snakes.[17][18]

They roost in groups in low thorny trees.[19]

Several species of feather mites, helminth and blood parasites have been described from the
species.