Do Partridges Really Live in Pear Trees?

Published 24 Dec 2017, 17:42 GMT, Updated 24 Dec 2017, 19:24 GMT

Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) in autumn colour at the Riverside Zoo. Scottsbluff, Nebraska, United States of America.

Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Creative

A pair of European turtle doves rest in Hungary. The birds make a call that sounds like "turr, turr."

Photograph by Orsolya Haarberg, National Geographic Creative

Canada geese fly over a misty lake in London.

Photograph by Alex Saberi, National Geographic Creative

The fluffy Favorelles chicken (pictured, an animal in Washington State) may be the inspiration for the French hen in the song.

Photograph by Janet Horton, Alamy

Two mute swans float on a lake at sunrise in London.

Photograph by Alex Saberi, National Geographic Creative

A Eurasian blackbird in the snow in Neuhas im Solling, Germany. European blackbirds are actually more closely related to robins.

Photograph by Willi Rolfes, Minden/ National Geographic Creative