Rostkehl-Keilschwanzhuhn

Bestimmung

The Szechenyi's monal-partridge is a sexually monochromatic, medium-sized species of partridge. It has a distinct orange horizontal teardrop shaped eye ring, a light gold gorget, as well as a crest that it can occasionally flare up. The species has a grey upper chest and speckled orange and grey belly. They are usually 29–50 cm in length and weigh between 660-1790g.

Taxonomie

The common name, as well as the Latin binomial, of the Szechenyi's monal-partridge commemorates Graf Bela Szechenyi, a Hungarian explorer. Complete mitochondrial genome sequencing of the species places the Szechenyi's monal-partridge in the genus Tetraophasis in the family Phasianidae. Phylogenetic positioning of the Tetraophasis has been understudied, though there is strong support that it and genus Lophophorus are sister genera, forming a subclade with Tragopan.

Wissenschaftlicher Name

Tetraophasis szechenyii

Autorität

Madarász, G, 1885

Ordnung

Hühnervögel

Familie

Fasanen (Phasianidae)

Gattung

Tetraophasis

Verbreitung und Lebensraum

The Szechenyi's monal-partridge is endemic to the high mountains (3350–4600 m) of western China, and is distributed in southeastern Tibet, southern Qinghai, western Sichuan and northwestern Yunnan. These birds mainly live in mixed coniferous forest, rhododendron shrubs, oak thickets, alpine meadows, and rocky ravines. The Szechenyi's monal-partridge are susceptible to a variety of both avian and mammalian predators around the area. Potential nocturnal avian predators include Père David's owl (Strix davidi) and tawny owls (Strix aluco). Mammalian predators include leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis), Siberian weasels (Mustela sibirica) and mountain weasels (Mustela altaica).

Zugverhalten

Standvogel

Verhalten

Zugverhalten: Standvogel.

Schutzstatus

Even though this species is in the Least Concern category by the current IUCN Red List; under the Red Book of China, it is currently considered as endangered and listed in Category I of the nationally protected animals. With Sichuan and Yunnan rapidly modernizing since the mid 70s, deforestation needs to be studied as a potential threat to this species. Logging companies have been clearing large areas of natural forest, with most of the trees being firs and spruce firs, which act as roosting sites for the Szechenyi's monal-partridge. In order to focus on conservation efforts for the Szechenyi's monal-partridge, more information on the species' ecology and habitat use is needed. This information is fundamental to determine its conservation status.

Bestandstrend

unknown